Japan to form main space agency by integrating 3 entities

TOKYO, Sept. 30 (Kyodo) Japan will launch a new main space agency Wednesday through the merger of three space and aeronautical entities, enabling the new agency to handle a wide range of operations including satellite launches, aerospace research and development of domestic aircraft.

The establishment of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), effective Wednesday, comes in line with administrative reforms and will integrate the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL).

According to officials, the agency will be headquartered in what was the head office of NAL in Chofu, western Tokyo, and headed by Shuichiro Yamanouchi, president of NASDA. It will have about 1,800 employees and an annual budget of 180 billion yen.

NASDA, based in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, handled development of rockets, satellites and the space station, the science ministry-affiliated ISAS, based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, was designed for space and planetary research, while NAL took charge of next-generation aviation and space research and development.

According to the officials, the main office of JAXA will house four departments, and aim to strengthen its ties with private companies over technology transfer and joint development initiatives.

In line with this, they said a department focusing on collaboration among industry, academic and government sectors has been formed.

As part of efforts to streamline operations, the officials said project expenses will be slashed by about 1% every year.