The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is planning on capitalising on past successes by launching an ambitious three-stage programme of human and robotic solar system exploration.

It would begin in 2015 with the launch of their first lunar lander SELENE-2 – a follow-up to their successful SELENE lunar orbiter mission.

This would be followed in 2020 by SELENE-X – a robotic exploration mission that would explore the Moon’s South Pole region – a precursor to the construction of a lunar base for long-term investigation and sample return.

In 2018, JAXA will also seek to build upon the success of their asteroid sample mission, Hayabusa, with Hayabusa-2 and then later with Hayabusa-Mk2.

JAXA are also planning to develop their manned spaceflight capabilities with the development of a human rated launcher by the early 2020s and a human-rated space craft by 2028.

They are also developing new spacesuits, space medicine technology and safety system.