Space Shuttle Retirement and Space Development

Learning from Russia and Giving Up My One-Sided Devotion to America

On July 21 the U.S. space shuttle finished its last flight. It is the beginning of a new era, with Russia holding the monopoly on man’s place in space. In Japan there is growing concern over dependence on Russia. Problems are beginning to crop up, as shown by the continued call for higher boarding costs for NASA astronauts from Russia’s space agency. I am concerned because Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) hasn’t built any connections with Russia.

Soyuz as the Only Means for Manned Space Travel

JAXA’s weak relationship with Russia’s Space Agency can be illustrated by their joint experiment on protein. It highlights Japan’s one-sided and continuous dependence on the U.S. ever since WWII. Now, the only means of transporting people to the International Space Station (ISS) is the Soyuz spacecraft. If Japan is serious about manned space development, it will have to learn from Russia, which has over a half-century of experience.

It has been three years since I began working in the Moscow branch, collecting data on the Soyuz construction. During that time, I have noticed very little effort by JAXA to strengthen its ties with Russia.

For example, in June, astronaut Satoshi Furukawa (47) launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Central Asia in Kazakhstan. At that time, I overheard statements from people in JAXA to the effect that, “our colleagues from NASA can’t feel too bad for not being brought to such a far-flung place.” While we anxiously wait for the development of the space shuttle’s successor, our desire is weakening for a quick end to dependence on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft. This is clear from the decision a few years ago that Japanese astronauts would fly in the Soyuz. That prompted JAXA to begin putting together a Technology and Coordination Office.

From day one, Japan made a pact with the U.S. that it would send astronauts to the ISS through them. Therefore, the U.S. negotiated with Russia to allow Furukawa to fly, and before his launch it was NASA’s management that answered the reporters and directed the Japanese officials. Notably, the press meeting before the launch was limited to English and Russian. There were many times that Japan’s views and wishes were not conveyed because Furukawa was prohibited from answering in Japanese. Nevertheless, JAZA director Kuniaki Shiraaki responded to Japan’s relationship with Russia by saying, “As before, we will continue to work through NASA.” It looks like JAXA is not going to change its mind.

It is dangerous for Japan to rely completely on the U.S. for space development. A former TBS reporter and the only Japanese civilian to have flown into space, Toyohiro Akiyama (69), once reported in Mainichi that “the U.S. will not turn over its hegemony over space travel and the life sciences.” He warns that if Japan does not work with other countries it will be in danger of limiting its technological growth. But it appears that Japan feels comfortable under the patronage of “big brother” NASA.

If JAXA deepens its relationship with Russia’s space agency, it will not just temporarily gain some knowledge or technology. Over the last 40 years, Russia has not lost one person in its flights. The U.S. has been able to fly many missions, but has experienced many safety problems with its space shuttles. It is for this reason that the U.S. has decided to develop a space shuttle like the Soyuz, which is only used once and then retired. While the Soyuz might not be the latest technology, Japan can learn much from Russia’s emphasis on flight-safety and safe returns.

From an Experienced Astronaut Stationed in Moscow

Astronaut Soichi Noguchi (46) pointed out on his return flight to earth last June that before his flight he gained more than just technical knowledge. He said, “It was interesting to exchange stories about our experiences of flying in the Soyuz with our fellow Japanese astronauts and colleagues. My flight means a lot for the direction of manned-flight development for Japan.”

There are many hardworking employees at JAXA. They explained how hard it is to build relationships with Russia “when as soon as we think we have done well, the people in charge change. We haven’t been able to build any connections.” I have lived in Russia for close to four years, and things have not gone very well. It is a difficult country.

On the other hand, there are cases where Russia shows that it is willing to merge with foreigners and accept them. Foreign astronauts like Noguchi who have trained in Russia and have ridden in the Soyuz have received praise and admiration from Russian space personnel. I have seen that our astronauts have not only gained a rich knowledge, but are able to make better decisions. For our astronauts to build on these good experiences, even after the space shuttle retirement, I believe that JAXA should endeavor to build deeper ties with Russia by stationing former astronauts in Moscow.