Human Lunar Systems Team in JSPEC works for the objective study and conceptual system study on the human lunar exploration. The objective study is to analyze what should be done when the astronauts go to the moon. Based on the data taken by KAGUYA (SELENE) and other projects, the objectives for the human exploration can be to understand the origins and evolutions of the moon and the solar system, to construct telescopes on the far side of the moon, to investigate lunar resources available for the future space activities or human activities on the Earth and, moreover, to expand human activities into deep space by living in the outpost on the moon.

With identifying the objectives and missions to be executed, the team studies the necessary systems to achieve them, which include a variety of systems. For instance, systems to transport astronauts and cargo to the moon will be necessary. Because we need to overcome much higher gravity potential than the International Space Station (ISS) on the Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a larger scale transportation system than the ISS is required. Furthermore, human transportation system requires more reliable and safer systems than cargo transportation. Japan does not have yet any human transportation systems, however, the team studies to develop a human transportation system to the moon by developing technologies and utilizing the knowledge and experiences for human space systems taken in the ISS Program. It is also important to develop a soft-landing system on the lunar surface for both human and cargo transportations. We are investigating to develop the soft-landing technology in the follow-on missions of KAGUYA.

Besides the transportation systems, systems for lunar surface explorations are necessary. A lunar rover system is one of such systems, and we examine a pressurized rover system that can traverse for a number of days with shirt sleeved astronauts inside. Also, the space suit for lunar exloration will be needed. The other systems we are studying are robots supporting astronauts exploring the moon or constructing the lunar outpost. We are investigating appropriate systems to conduct future human lunar explorations considering very severe conditions on the Moon from many technical aspects.

It is also necessary to consider so-called “infrastructure” such systems as power and communications. The mission control center and tracking systems are also necessary.

From the programmatic point of view, the human lunar exploration can be realized earlier and more efficiently by international cooperation, and we are discussing with international partners about the appropriate cooperation scheme for Japan based on the achievements and lessons learned from the ISS Program.