Japan

NASA / ESA / JAXA / CSA • 2025–2030s

International space station in lunar orbit supporting Artemis surface missions. Gateway will serve as a staging point for crewed lunar landings, deep space science, and eventual Mars transit. ESA is building the ESPRIT refueling module and I-HAB habitation module. JAXA contributing life support. CSA providing Canadarm3 robotic system.

JAXA • 2023–2030

Japan became the 5th country to soft-land on the Moon with SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) on Jan 19, 2024. Though it landed upside-down, it demonstrated pinpoint landing accuracy (within 55m of target). JAXA is now developing LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) with ISRO for south pole water ice investigation, and contributing to Gateway and Artemis.

JAXA / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries • 2014–ongoing

Japan's next-generation flagship rocket replacing H-IIA. After a failed first flight in Mar 2023 (second stage shutdown), H3 successfully reached orbit on its second attempt in Feb 2024. Now operational, targeting 50% cost reduction over H-IIA. Key for Japan's independent access to space and launching IGS reconnaissance satellites.

JAXA / ISRO • 2028–2029

Joint Japan-India lunar rover mission to the Moon's south pole. JAXA provides the rover and ISRO provides the lander. The rover will carry a drill capable of penetrating 1.5 meters below the surface to confirm the presence of water ice and characterize its distribution. Toyota is developing the rover's driving technology.