STRATEGIC
ANALYSIS
(^56) | AsiAn MilitAry review |
will continue technology development to
realise active debris removal: “Now we
are analysing the possible causes of the
failure (but the) study is not fixed yet,”
the JAXA spokesperson continued. JAXA
added that four to five launches are car-
ried out by the agency per year, which
includes the Mitsubishi H-IIA and H-IIB
rockets plus the JAXA-developed Epsilon
rocket: “JAXA is conducting activities in
line with the peaceful use of outer space,
in an integrated and programmatic man-
ner,” the spokesperson continued. Mit-
subishi develops a significant amount
of Japanese space technology, which
a company spokesperson told AMR is
one of eight key growth areas the firm is
working on: “We supply satellites in the
fields of communication and broadcast-
ing, observation, as well as navigation,”
the spokesperson said: “As far as sales
are concerned, we recorded sales of ap-
proximately $800 million during the 2015
Japanese fiscal year in our space systems
business.” The company could not dis-
close how much business comes from the
domestic versus international markets,
nor could it say how much is made up of
military sales versus commercial.
Mr. Ostrove noted that Japan has a
very close relationship with the US’ Na-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion (NASA) and European Space Agen-
cy (ESA), particularly in designing and
launching science satellites. He added that
the country typically forms partnerships
for its science satellites. An example of this
is the ASTRO-G built in partnership with
ESA, although the ASTRO-H X-ray astron-
omy satellite that was built in partnership
by Japan to have landed in that country’s
EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone): “Today,
it seems that (the DPRK) launched four
ballistic missiles almost simultaneously
in an easterly direction from the prox-
imity of Tongch’ang-ri on the west coast
of (the country),” the Japanese Ministry
of Defence (MOD) said in a 6th March
statement: “It is presumed that the mis-
siles travelled approximately 539.9nm
(1000km) and fell into the Sea of Japan ...
It is also presumed that three of the mis-
siles fell into Japan’s exclusive economic
zone.” The MOD warned that the coun-
try: “can in no way tolerate this act as it
is clear provocation to Japan’s security as
well as regional security.”
While Mr. Ostrove could not talk
regarding the ICBM development specifi-
cally, he noted that space developments
by the DPRK particularly rockets, are both
strategic and political in nature: “They see
these capabilities as a key to their defence,”
he said: “It’s also a source of national pride,
which is very important for an authoritari-
an regime. It gives them something to show
their people.” Additionally, the DPRK’s
rocket-related activities have the added
benefit of riling the neighbouring ROK and
its US ally: “Another important strategy of
an authoritarian regime is to demonstrate
outside threats,” Mr. Ostrove said.
The developments each nation is mak-
ing in space varies in terms of type and
sophistication, with Japan leading the
way, according to Mr. Ostrove. One area
that Japan is exploring is the removal of
space debris, which it deems a “serious
threat on humankind’s use of outer space
in the future,” a Japan Aerospace Explo-
ration Agency (JAXA) spokesperson told
AMR. However, in February an attempt
by JAXA to test the possibility of clearing
some of this space debris by using a tether
attached to a Russian Progress cargo ship
that had just returned from a resupply
mission to the International Space Station,
failed. It is believed that the tether did not
deploy, but JAXA has not yet revealed the
reason the mission failed: “Removal of
space debris (is a) common and urgent is-
sue for all,” the spokesperson said: “JAXA
Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries and
JAXA launch the
H-IIA Launch
Vehicle-30 carrying
the ASTRO-H
X-ray astronomy
satellite on 17th
February 2016 from
the Tanegashima
Space Centre on
Tanegashima Island.
JAXA
JAXA’s H-IIB rocket carries out its first stage captive firing test in 2009, which tested the engine
and countdown to take-off, and ultimately led to the maiden voyage of the vehicle to resupply
the International Space Station.
JAXA