Russia asks JAXA to help develop Clipper Spaceship

Published: Oct 14, 2005
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp



Russia has asked Japan's space development agency to participate in its new Kliper spacecraft development program, agency officials said Thursday.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has started collecting information on the program and will decide by year's end whether to accept the request, the officials said.

Senior agency official Kiyoshi Higuchi hinted that the agency is willing to participate in the basic development plan, which will start in January.

The European Space Agency is also mulling a role in the project, and Japan's participation would enable Russia, Japan and European nations to operate an international space station without relying on the United States.continue..