Japan has announced a proposal to put the first Japanese astronaut on the surface of the Moon.
The proposal calls for Japanese participation in an international manned mission to the surface of the Moon sometime around 2030.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) presented the plan to Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Wednesday.
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This will be the first time Japan attempts to send their astronauts beyond the International Space Station (ISS), but the nation isn’t likely to do it alone.
Launching a Japanese rocket would be prohibitively expensive, so this mission to the Moon is likely to be an international collaboration, with Japan contributing technology in exchange for a spot aboard the craft.
By working with other countries, the Japanese would be able to accomplish their goal, and according to reports, they plan to join an international mission by 2025.
