Comments on: Japanese space policy insights

By: Donald F. Robertson

Donald F. Robertson — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 17:59:00 +0000

There has been some discussion of increased Japanese military space expenditure in AvWeek and / or Space News in the last couple of months, but I don’t have time to look up the exact references.

On the larger question, the Japanese are exceedingly good at assembling consumer technologies. There are very few counties that have mastered the ability to do systems engineering involving thousands of people spread across a continent to develop intricate technocratic projects like Apollo — the United States, Russia, and parts of Europe are best at it. These are skills we developed in WW II and ICBM development, and mastered with Apollo, and so far Japan clearly does not have them.

— Donald

By: Brent

Brent — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 17:14:26 +0000

I heard from someone that the new Japanese space policy includes references to an increased military space effort. Is this true, and where can I find a reference?

Thanks!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 15:30:53 +0000

Honestly, I’ve always felt quite sorry for the Japanese in regards to their space efforts. Why have they been plagued with such bad luck? All thos rocket failures, then the loss of their probe to Mars, and now the trouble with their asteroid probe. Let’s hope the gods smile on them a bit more in the future.