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Space Science between US and Japan Based on the Japan-US Science And Technology Cooperation Agreement - Non-energy Field

In 1979, the Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency of Japan and the Administrator of NASA agreed to establish a Standing Senior Liaison Group to promote collaborative projects between the U.S. and Japan in the space field, such as remote sensing and scientific observation, and to consider new projects for collaboration. By this agreement, 17 projects were put into practice. These projects were endorsed in 1980 with the signature of the Japan-US Science and Technology Agreement for Non-energy Field. ISAS is currently collaborating on the following projects.

Space Astronomy

Theme	Outline of Cooperation
Joint research on X-ray astronomy	Japanese and US scientists cooperate to conduct X-ray astronomy. Organize and conduct cooperative observation using SUZAKU and Chandra satellites, and joint observation and research with other wavelength research. Further, carry out joint basic development toward future X-ray astronomical satellites.
Joint research on infrared astronomy	Japanese and US scientists cooperate to conduct infrared astronomy. Proceed with cooperative observation between AKARI and SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE while considering feasibility of Japan-US cooperation in Japan’s SPICA project, NASA’s TPF project, etc. In related research, conduct observation by rockets with JPL of NASA and the California Institute of Technology.
US-Japan joint research on solar and heliosphere	Remembering HINODE (launched in 2006, a cooperative project by Japan/U.S./U.K. for solar observation) and STEREO (U.S. heliosphere observation project), organize Japan-US joint research to pursue systematically the link between activities on the solar surface and disturbance phenomena in the heliosphere. Promote joint observation and analysis using the two satellites above while advancing systematic comparison with heliospheric data obtained by LASCO, etc., on the SOHO satellite (U.S./Europe cooperative venture).
Joint research on radio astronomy by Space Very Long Baseline Interferometry	Discuss cooperation with NASA and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in order to realize ASTRO-G project.

Solar System Science

Theme	Outline of Cooperation
Joint research on terrestrial planetsEatmospheric science	Continue Japan-US joint research on the Venus mission PLANET-C, a Japanese terrestrial planet exploration project.
Joint research on solid lunar/planet exploration	Organize close collaborative joint tasks between Japanese and US scientists including observation planning and data-analysis methodology to extract maximum scientific results from KAGUYA, the first Japanese full-scale solid lunar/planet exploration mission. In addition, promote Japan-US cooperative development of landers and penetrators, considered the technological core in future lunar/planet explorations, as necessary technological development for internal structure exploration of planets.
Joint research on earth and planetary magnetosphere exploration	Close collaborative Japan-US research on the magnetosphere, plasmasphere, and upper atmosphere near earth has produced many results. This will be expanded over a wider field including planets. Discuss partnership and cooperation between Messenger, NASA's Mercury exploration project, and Mercury magnetosphere exploration by BepiColombo, the Japan/ESA joint mission. Further, emphasize partnership in planning, coordination and development of observation instruments for near-future earth and planetary magnetosphere explorations.
Joint research on minor bodies in the solar system	Promote joint research aiming at elucidation of origin of the solar system through exploration of primitive minor bodies by coordinating exploration projects including fly-by, landing, and sample return for minor bodies in the solar system now planned by Japan and U.S. in the beginning of the 21st century, in particular, proceeding with Japan-US cooperation on HAYABUSA.

Technological Development

Theme	Outline of Cooperation
Japan-US cooperation on satellite orbit determination and operation	Conduct exchange of technical information and study on orbit determination accuracy between Japan and U.S. with regard to orbit determination of lunar-planetary explorers and earth orbiting satellites. In addition, discuss communication interface and standardization of coordinated communication method in order to utilize US’s ground reception stations to retrieve tracking data of explorers and satellites. In particular, promote discussion on navigation analysis by Δ(delta) VLBI.
Japan-US cooperation on space science data archive and joint analysis	Establishment of an effective data-archive method is an urgent issue for space-science research using space science data, the volume of which is now rapidly increasing. Thus, pursue data-archive method, better analysis method of large data, and possibility of Japan-US joint data center based on NASA's Space Science Data Center. Hold Japan-US talks this year on astronomical database and actual archiving of geophysics database for future ISAS satellites. Further, hold meetings on initial processing of satellite data retrieved from and network facility for high-speed transmission for SUZAKU and HINODE missions carried out jointly by Japan and U.S.

Theme

Outline of Cooperation

Japan-US cooperation on satellite orbit determination and operation

Conduct exchange of technical information and study on orbit determination accuracy between Japan and U.S. with regard to orbit determination of lunar-planetary explorers and earth orbiting satellites. In addition, discuss communication interface and standardization of coordinated communication method in order to utilize US’s ground reception stations to retrieve tracking data of explorers and satellites. In particular, promote discussion on navigation analysis by Δ(delta) VLBI.

Japan-US cooperation on space science data archive and joint analysis

Establishment of an effective data-archive method is an urgent issue for space-science research using space science data, the volume of which is now rapidly increasing. Thus, pursue data-archive method, better analysis method of large data, and possibility of Japan-US joint data center based on NASA's Space Science Data Center. Hold Japan-US talks this year on astronomical database and actual archiving of geophysics database for future ISAS satellites. Further, hold meetings on initial processing of satellite data retrieved from and network facility for high-speed transmission for SUZAKU and HINODE missions carried out jointly by Japan and U.S.