India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster their space exploration mission. The MoU will bring about collaborations between the two state run agencies, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). From expanding lunar exploration missions to satellite navigation and X-ray astronomy, the agreement will see an advancement in space technology.
ISRO’s landmark 2014 Mangalyaan, or the Mars Orbiter Mission put India as a force to reckon with in space technology with its historic spent of just 10% of what NASA’s Mars mission. However, besides being low on cost, ISRO also clinched the first sot by completing all the Mars mission objectives, a feat unachieved by any other space agency.
Meanwhile, we are already seeing a bit of collaboration between Japan and India for the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition. India’s Team Indus and Japan’s Hakuto has already signed a rideshare agreement to have Team Indus carry its four-wheeled rover to the Moon. While India’s TeamIndus has inked a commercial launch contract with ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
Japan’s Hakuto’s is aiming to target holes on moon’s surface which are construed as caves or skylights. The possible exploration could lead to significant scientific discoveries related moon’s hostile environment and future opportunities for habitation and life.
