Featured Observer: JAXA
Contents
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Author: Masaki Fujimoto, Deputy Director General of JAXA’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Who are you?
We are from JAXA, ISAS, the Science Institute of the Japanese Space Agency (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japanese Space Exploration Agency).
Where are you located?
ISAS is located in the city of Sagamihara, 40km southwest from the center of Tokyo, Japan. We collaborated with Sagamihara City Museum for this event.
Why did JAXA/ISAS get involved in International Observe the Moon Night?
We are preparing a landing mission to the surface of the Moon. It is a small mission to demonstrate the technology that enables pin-point landing. It will open a new road for a variety of parties to join lunar surface exploration activities.
How did you participate in this year’s event?
By hosting an online event and by hosting an exhibit at the museum. A model of the Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM) spacecraft was displayed in the museum. People saw it to realize that Japan is taking a serious step into lunar exploration. JAXA has recently issued a call for the generation of astronauts that may have a chance to walk on the Moon. I think this event linked to International Observe the Moon Night nudged people to put together relevant pieces that they had collected separately.
What’s your favorite way of observing the Moon?
By a camera onboard a lander or a rover. Currently via Virtual Reality
Thanks to:
James O’Donoghue, JAXA International Top Young Fellow
This guest post was originally published in December 2021.
