In a momentous announcement, US President Joe Biden revealed that a Japanese astronaut would become the first non-American to set foot on the lunar surface during an upcoming NASA Artemis mission. This unprecedented offer, extended during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's state visit, underscores the deepening collaboration between the United States and Japan in space exploration.
During a joint press conference, President Biden declared, "Two Japanese astronauts will join future American missions, and one will become the first non-American ever to land on the Moon." Prime Minister Kishida hailed the announcement as a "huge achievement" and pledged Japan's contribution by supplying a rover for the Artemis program.
NASA's Artemis initiative aims to reignite human lunar exploration, marking the return to the Moon after more than half a century. While the US Apollo program witnessed 12 American astronauts walking on the Moon between 1969 and 1972, Artemis seeks to diversify this legacy by including the first woman and the first person of color to land on the lunar surface.
Artemis 3, scheduled for 2026, will be the inaugural mission to transport astronauts to the Moon's surface. Japan's involvement in the Artemis program marks another milestone in its longstanding partnership with the United States in space endeavors, exemplified by joint operations at the International Space Station. With Japan's recent success in lunar exploration, the collaboration between Tokyo and Washington continues to propel space exploration forward as they embark on this historic journey together.
During a joint press conference, President Biden declared, "Two Japanese astronauts will join future American missions, and one will become the first non-American ever to land on the Moon." Prime Minister Kishida hailed the announcement as a "huge achievement" and pledged Japan's contribution by supplying a rover for the Artemis program.
NASA's Artemis initiative aims to reignite human lunar exploration, marking the return to the Moon after more than half a century. While the US Apollo program witnessed 12 American astronauts walking on the Moon between 1969 and 1972, Artemis seeks to diversify this legacy by including the first woman and the first person of color to land on the lunar surface.
Artemis 3, scheduled for 2026, will be the inaugural mission to transport astronauts to the Moon's surface. Japan's involvement in the Artemis program marks another milestone in its longstanding partnership with the United States in space endeavors, exemplified by joint operations at the International Space Station. With Japan's recent success in lunar exploration, the collaboration between Tokyo and Washington continues to propel space exploration forward as they embark on this historic journey together.
