Medium-to long-term strategies in the field of space transportation systems formulated by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency under the Inter-University Research Institute System

Abstract

The Space Transportation System Committee of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been continuously formulating medium-to long-term strategies in the field of space transportation systems under the Inter-University Research Institute System of ISAS since FY2018. This committee is considering the role of ISAS in cooperation with the organization-wide activities of JAXA to formulate strategies in the field of space transportation systems. Among its previous achievements, the committee assembled a strategic target and scenario for the space transportation system research field at the end of FY2018 and has been continuously revising it. Based on the formulated mission scenario, the committee identified three priority areas related to system technologies that must be tackled. These are a “reusable orbit transportation system” aimed for highly frequent mass transportation from Earth to low Earth orbits, “deep space interorbital transportation system” aimed for a marked improvement in space science and exploration missions in terms of frequency and flexibility, and “small flying test bed system” for flight demonstrations, which is indispensable in the research and development of space transportation systems. In this paper, the authors summarize the medium-to long-term strategies and their concrete implementation measures over the next two decades.