The US and Japan Space Program - Case Study Example

U.S. Space Program vs. Japan Space Program In the early periods of space exploration, most countries were unwilling or lacked the ability to explore the resources required for large scale national space programs. In fact, during this period only the US and the Soviet Union supported these kinds of programs. Subsequently, both countries grew stronger in space exploration and became unchallenged pre-eminence in space activities and technologies. However, in recent years, the international interest and activities in space exploration has grown tremendously and many countries have started taking part in the same. This change of heart by most countries towards space exploration has been brought about by many factors including maturation of industries, markets for communications satellites and transferable space technologies. In addition, space development and assured access to space have become vital factors for high technology growth and national security. With these benefits in mind, many countries have fostered space programs which are promising and successful. A good example of such a country is Japan whose space program grew in less than 20 years from the launch of its first satellite in 1970 to participation in the international space station freedom project. In comparison to US space program, Japan’s space program has used US technical capabilities as a benchmark for its own capabilities thus causing a conflict in program philosophy between them and the United States. Therefore, since operational philosophies and styles of the two countries’ space programs are distinct, their comparison is important as can give insight into their relative strengths and weaknesses as well as their long term objectives and strategies. United States The United States space program began in 1958 with the launch of its scientific satellite explorer. Towards the end of that year, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) whose purpose was to direct the nation’s civilian activities in space was formed. For almost a decade, US space program concentrated on developing satellite and launching vehicle technologies, supporting solar system research and developing manned spaceflight capabilities. The launch technology efforts led to creation of the early models of the Titan, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles. The program also carried out unmanned research missions throughout the solar system such as probes to the sun, Venus, Moon and Mars. During 1970s, the United States carried out further manned missions to the moon and launched the Skylab station program. In 1980s, the program began developing the international space station freedom. In the US, the space activities are managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Defense (DOD) which have different roles, styles and responsibilities. NASA emphasize on peaceful exploration and development of space whereas DOD is concerned with national defense and security. It is important to note that although the two organizations have different responsibilities, they at times work together. For instance during the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) project they worked together. The US space programs are also funded by the government through the two organizations which are the administrators and project managers of space exploration (Wells and Hastings 15). The space programs of the United States usually revolve around increasing human exploration of the space, supporting national security, rejuvenating space science and research, developing higher capacity and cultivating the involvement of private sector into the space programs. Generally, the United States’ space program is more concerned in maintaining its status as the leading world power in space exploration and development (Wells and Hastings 22). The United States’ entrance into space exploration was influenced or driven with the need to be a super power and establish superior military space systems, and the race to reach the moon first before Soviet Union (Wells and Hastings 12). Japan The Japanese space program started in 1955 with the launch of a small solid sounding rocket (pencil rocket) by a group of scientists at the University of Tokyo. The group was headed by a student who studied medical technology in the US but changed his career to rocket technology upon arriving in Japan. Within ten years, the Japan’s space activities were conducted by national space activities council (NSAC), institute of space and aeronautical science (university of Tokyo) and national space development centre (NSDC). However, due to the country’s slow rate space technology development, the government formed the SAC in 1968 and the national space development agency (NASDA) in 1969 to replace NSAC and NSDC. Under these two organizations, Japan became the fourth country in the world to place a satellite (Osumi) in the orbit (Langer, 3). Currently, Japanese space activities are also managed by two organizations; The National Space Development Agency (NASDA) and the Institute for Space and Astronautical Sciences (ISAS) both of which operate under the policy guidance of the SAC. Unlike the US, none of the organizations of the Japan are concerned with the defense applications. They are oriented to peaceful developments and explorations. NASDA develops application satellites, launch vehicles, acquire and utilize system data whereas ISAS is responsible for developing and launching scientific satellites as well as promoting and supporting space science fields. The two organizations are completely independent in terms of management, activities and funding (Wells and Hastings 19). In terms of funding, the Japanese space activities are funded from the civilian sector of the national budget. Japanese space activities are essentially civilians’ efforts; they are completely operated from the military establishment and the researches are carried out in broad daylight by civilian personnel. The activities are mostly associated with academic institutions (Langer, 5). The goals of the Japanese space program are categorized into two groups- short term and long term. The short term goal is to increase the scope, capabilities and commercial utility of the program whereas the long term goal is to attain self sufficiency and develop a state of privatization (Langer, 7). Since its creation the activities of the Japanese space program have been focused on the developing space technologies and pursuing autonomy in space. Current initiatives that have resulted from the objective are development efforts for satellite technologies and launch of world class vehicles (Wells and Hastings 10). Conclusion Although Japan’s space program has progressed very first, it no where close to match that of the US. The United States of America has grown stronger over years and proved that it will still remain to be the strongest leader in space exploration. Thus, many countries including Japan will always use as a benchmark for their programs. Work cited Damon R. Wells and Daniel E. Hastings. The US and Japanese Space Programs: A Comparative Study of Goals and Capabilities. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Cambridge, 1992. Paul F. Langer. The Japanese Space Program: Political and social implications the Rand. Corporation, Santa Monica: California, 1968. Read More