Japanese Space Exploration

I heard mention about one of Japan’s failed space missions. Until now, I’ve been largely ignorant that space exploration existed anywhere outside the United States. So I looked it up.

The first site I found is NASDA, the “National Space Development Agency of Japan.” Along with awkward English, their front page says:

We hope that NASDA, which was solely in charge of Japanese space development for 34 years since its establishment, is able to leave a brilliant footstep in history. NASDA has come to its end and has handed over the baton to JAXA. We will continue to strive for a bright future.

It looks like they didn’t mean literally tomorrow (or maybe they did) because further down, it says: “NASDA is going to be reborn as JAXA on October 1, 2003, merging with the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) and the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL).”

So I went to find JAXA, the “Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.” When I saw their website, I noticed that their logo immediately reminded me of Lockheed Martin. “Why?” I thought. I went to get LM’s logo and compare.

Ah.. just thought that was interesting.