Future Missions and Deep Space Exploration
ISAS is also considering a wide variety of proposals for missions to be launched early in the next century. Currently under study are the Nereus asteroid sample return project, the SOCCER comet sample return mission, and Venus exploration programs employing planetary orbiters and atmospheric balloon probes.
Japan's larger space agency, NASDA, is developing plans to conduct its very first deep space missions, some in conjunction with ISAS. With the help of NASDA's much larger H-II launch vehicle, more sophisticated missions can be attempted. A series of lunar missions, beginning with a lunar orbiter and progressing to lunar rovers and sample return missions, has been recommended. Particular interest has been generated in the possibility of extracting Helium-3 from the lunar surface. Even more grandiose, manned lunar bases are under study by both government and industry. A Mercury sample return mission and an automated Martian rover are also being considered (References 149-156).
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
