Japanese government adopts revised space policy emphasizing defense
The Japanese government today announced a revision to its space policy, with the changes mostly focused on increasing that nation’s military surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in space.
Though defense and security appeared to be the focus of the revision, there were hints this would be achieved through a greater use of the competitive free market.
The government also vowed to bolster collaboration between the Defense Ministry and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in a bid to provide support to private companies engaged in critical space technology development, the blueprint says. By attempting to stimulate private-sector-led development in space, the government will aim to reduce costs in the face of budget constraints, it adds.
Japan has traditionally operated as the U.S. used to, by letting its space agency JAXA do and control everything. JAXA in turn has routinely hired established companies like Mitsubishi to build what it wants, while retaining all control and ownership. The result has been a moribund effort, with Japan at present having no low cost rocket that can compete on the international market for business.
Whether this new policy will allow new companies to compete with the big established players remains unknown.
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“Japanese government adopts REVISED (?) space policy emphasizing defense”
Ray Van Dune: Thank you. Fixed.
Their new project
https://twitter.com/NosuSuishin/status/1669992231984566272