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30 year-plan eyed for Japan's space development

Posted on: Wednesday, 22 October 2003, 06:00 CDT

TOKYO, Oct. 22 (Kyodo) -- A space commission under the science and technology ministry has decided to set up a plan for space research and development spanning the next 30 years, commission members said Wednesday.

The decision follows the success of China's first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou No. 5, and is in response to criticism that Japan lacks a long-term vision regarding space development.

Until now, any long-term plans on space development drawn up by government institutions have been for the next 10 years at most.

The Space Activities Commission decided at its regular meeting the same day to launch a study group by the end of the year and to invite experts from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to take part in discussions.

The date for compiling the plan is undecided, but commission members said they hope to come up with an inspirational plan.

The members said discussions will be held on matters such as the significance of manned spacecraft for Japan, and on what project to focus on after the International Space Station, scheduled for completion in 2008.

The government has drawn up a plan on the role that JAXA will play in space research and development during the next 10 years, while the Cabinet Office's Council for Science and Technology Policy has said there are no original plans for manned spacecraft activities in the next 10 years.

JAXA, which was launched in October through the merger of three space and aeronautical entities, has plans for creating the world's most highly functional robot in the next 10 years at half the conventional costs.

Despite these plans, experts had pointed to the need for longer-term plans that would be a source of inspiration for the public.

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