NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the Government of Japan Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Koichi Hagiuda signed a Joint Exploration Declaration of Intent (JEDI) during a virtual meeting on July 9 (July 10 Japan time). The JEDI describes the plans for cooperation regarding the International Space Station and NASA’s Artemis program, including Japanese contributions to Gateway and lunar surface exploration. The scope of intended cooperation covered by the JEDI extends to both human and robotic exploration.
“Today’s signing of this declaration of intent builds on the long history of successful cooperation between the U.S. and Japan in space,” Bridenstine said. “We appreciate Japan’s strong support for Artemis and look forward to extending the robust partnership that we have enjoyed on the International Space Station to cis-lunar space, the lunar surface, and beyond.”
Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024 and establish sustainable lunar surface exploration with our commercial and international partners by 2028. Artemis is the next step in human exploration and is a part of NASA’s broader Moon to Mars strategy. Specifically, NASA’s lunar operations will provide the Agency with the experience and knowledge necessary to enable a historic human mission to Mars.
