Per aspera ad astra!〜志業編〜

Space Generation Advisory Council 2009 Annual Report
National Point of Contact in Japan Yuki Takahashi, Hiroshi Yamashita
Japan
 State of the Space Program
This year, Japan watched with excitement as our astronaut Koichi Wakata worked onboard the International Space Station from March to July. In June, Kaguya lunar orbiter completed its mission with a planned impact on the Moon. In September, JAXA successfully launched the H-2 Transfer Vehicle on the H-2B rocket from Tanegashima Space Center.

Some other highlights included approval of the Basic Space Law by the National Diet last year, a missile launch over Japan from North Korea in April, and the announcement of Basic Space Plan and solicitation of public comments in April. From September, the Democratic Party took over the government and the national budget for science and technology will be decreased. The future of space policy in Japan is unpredictable.

Many space enthusiasts wish to promote commercial space activities including private space travel, but the government’s policy limits, delays, or demands high cost for commercial uses of outer space. To open up the use of outer space for everyone, our colleagues are activating commercial new space through grass roots efforts, largely led by the following organizations:
* University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC) http://www.unisec.jp/
* Manned Rocket Project (MRP) http://www.manned-rocket.jp/
* The Space Tourism Society, Japan (STSJ) http://www.sts-j.com/
* CAMUI hybrid rocket project http://www.hastic.jp/camui/default.htm
* P D AeroSpace http://www.pdas.co.jp
* Japan Space Elevator Association (JSEA) http://jsea.jp/

 Visions of SGAC Japan
1. Encourage more members from Japan to participate in SGC!
2. Hold more space events in Japan like Yuri’s Night, World Space Week, etc.
3. Invite SGAC members worldwide to visit Japan and host them.
4. Participate on the SGTalk list and hold discussions with delegates from other countries.
5. Report our activities in Japan to SGAC Executive Committee annually.
 1st SGAC Japan Meeting, Dec 28, 2008 in Tokyo
When a National Point of Contact Yuki Takahashi (UC Berkeley) temporarily returned to Japan, Hiroshi Yamashita organized a SGAC Japan meeting with his space colleagues.

 SGAC Japan members network
Yasuko Yanatori, Takeshi Hakamada, Hiroki Minematsu, Tsuyoshi Saotome, Noriaki Inami, Kentaro Sakurai, Kayoko Oshima, Naruko Fujita, Daichi Nakamura, Kazuhito Kidachi, Shuichi Ito, Tatsuaki Yoshihiro, Seiichiro Morisawa, Atsushi Kimoto, Yusuke Iwasaki, ・・・ about 50 space Colleagues.
We created a ‘SGAC Japan’ mailing list group, currently with 19 members: http://groups.google.com/group/sgacjapan


SGAC Activities in 2009

 Yuri’s Night JAPAN 2009 (April) http://www.yurisnight.jp/
Apollo 40th Anniversary Lecture was held on April 12 (Sun) at Tokyo University with presentations by JAXA/ISAS professor Yasunori Matogawa, science journalist Shinya Matsuura, and University of Aizu professor Junya Terazono. They were followed by panel discussions on "Are human beings going back to Moon? How should Japan move?". Videos from the event were uploaded on YouTube. There were 193 participants, of which about half also attended a party after the lecture event. 53 of the participants were students.
2009 Report: http://www.spss.or.jp/support/pdf/21/YN09_Report_Final.pdf


 SGAC 10th Anniversary in Vienna（June）
Hiroshi Yamashita attended the SGAC 10th Anniversary event and reconnected with SGAC members from SGC 2005 Fukuoka. He presented a document ‘Space Activity in Japan’ to SGAC Executive committee and NPoCs.


 Post-ISTS Tsukuba (July)
Some SGAC members attended the 27th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science (ISTS) in Tsukuba. After ISTS, we held a welcome party for them at a bar in Roppongi, Tokyo. Participants were Chris Boshuizen, A.C. Charania PrincessLieza Manzon, Julie Bellerose, Kazuhito Kidachi, Noriaki Inami, Takeshi Hakamada, Tatsuaki Yohihiro, Yasuko Yanatori, and Hiroshi Yamashita.


 Space Event in Encafe Koenji（July）
Encafe Corp. (a social networking service company for engineers) held Space Event at Koenji Platform Workshop on July 5, two days before the Tanabata Japanese traditional star festival. Hiroshi Yamashita introduced convenient space-related experiences and grass-roots space activities. Misuzu Onuki explained various space hotel visions. Noriaki Inami talked about training experience as a founder of Space Ship Two flight by Virgin Galactic. MC of the event was a young comedian ‘Ad balloon’ . http://encafe.jp/event/schedule/9061901.html


 SGC Korea （October）
Four Japanese members participated in SGC Korea. Yasuko Yanatori, is the only Japanese member who continues to participate in SGC for five years from 2005 Fukuoka to 2009 Korea. Daichi Nakamura mentioned Japanese explorer spacecraft in the discussion of the “Exploration” group. Hiroki Iida showed a performance of Japanese historical swordplay style ‘Kendo ‘at Cultural night. Hiroshi Yamashita introduced the astronaut Chiaki Mukai at the Spacefarer Social reception as part of the IAC 09 Young Professionals Program.


 Post-IAC with Aziz, Metehan（October）
After the IAC Korea, Turkey NPoC H. Aziz Kayihan, Turkish SGAC member Metephan Sezgin, and Chris Boshuizen, visited Japan. Yasuko Yanatori, Daichi Nakamura, Hiroki Iida, Senichi Nanbu, and Hiroshi Yamashita held a welcome party at a traditional Japanese restaurant in Iidabashi, Tokyo.



 Space Event in Tokyo Culture Culture（December）
Noriaki Inami held a space event at Tokyo Culture Culture by nifty in Daiba, Tokyo on December. 13. Shuji Ogawa, the president of PD Aerospace reported his company’s activities. Misuzu Onuki hosted various space quiz and gave Christmas presents to guest responders. Noriaki Inami talked about the rollout of SpaceShipTwo in Mojave Desert. MC comedians ‘Fuuraibou’ entertained guests by their short story and nice comebacks.
http://tcc.nifty.com/cs/catalog/tcc_schedule/catalog_091122202694_1.htm


 Vision of SGAC Japan for 2010
We would like to more actively seek donations to sponsor members for SGAC related activities.
We have met many colleagues in the world through SGAC and other aerospace events. Let’s challenge ourselves to open up commercial space access together with passion, enthusiasm, and strong will!