The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have pledged to deepen their collaboration in space exploration, planetary defense, and advanced scientific missions. The partnership was formalized in a joint statement signed on November 20 in Tsukuba, Japan, by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa.
JAXA President Dr. Yamakawa Hiroshi (Left) and ESA Director General Dr. Josef Aschbacher (Right) Credit: JAXA
The agreement outlines expanded cooperation in key areas, including lunar exploration, Mars missions, post-International Space Station (ISS) low Earth orbit (LEO) activities, planetary defense, and Earth observation. Both agencies committed to building on their decades-long partnership to advance scientific innovation, tackle global challenges, and ensure sustainable space exploration.
The ESA/JAXA BepiColombo spacecraft will take a revised trajectory to reach Mercury in response to problems with its electric propulsion system. Credit: ESA
Focus on Planetary Defense
A major component of the agreement is accelerating joint studies on ESA’s proposed Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES). This mission aims to observe the asteroid Apophis, which will pass close to Earth in 2029, providing critical data to enhance planetary defense efforts. While the mission is still pending full approval at ESA’s next ministerial meeting in 2025, preliminary work has already begun.
Mars Missions and Post-ISS Collaboration
The agencies are also exploring collaborative small lander missions to Mars in the 2030s, leveraging their expertise in electric propulsion and entry, descent, and landing technologies.
In the post-ISS era, ESA and JAXA are discussing joint LEO activities to address scientific, societal, and economic goals. Both agencies emphasized the importance of fostering innovative technologies and sustainable practices for future missions.
Lunar Exploration and Synergy
Lunar exploration remains a significant area of focus. ESA and JAXA plan to work on joint analogue testing, synchronize robotic missions, and enhance interoperability of lunar communication and navigation systems through ESA’s Moonlight program. ESA’s new lunar analog facility may also be opened to JAXA engineers, further strengthening collaboration.
Advanced Space Science Missions
The partnership will continue advancing space science, including work on ESA’s New Advanced Telescope for High-ENergy Astrophysics (Athena) mission and other competitive missions like M-MATISSE and Plasma Observatory. JAXA’s LiteBIRD mission and ESA’s focus on exploring the moons of giant planets were also highlighted as areas of future cooperation.
The new initiative builds on a history of successful joint missions, including the BepiColombo mission to Mercury and the EarthCARE mission, which examines the impact of clouds and aerosols on Earth’s climate. The agencies have also collaborated extensively on the ISS.
Titled “Next Big Cooperations,” the partnership is expected to drive scientific breakthroughs, societal progress, and commercial opportunities. The joint statement underscored its potential to address global challenges like climate change and planetary defense.
The collaboration has been welcomed by industry leaders like ispace, a Japanese company with operations in Europe specializing in lunar exploration. “We sincerely welcome the recent announcement by ESA and JAXA,” said ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada, adding that the partnership could unlock new commercial and scientific opportunities.
JAXA also highlighted its upcoming endeavors, including the LUPEX lunar south pole landing mission with India’s ISRO, development of a crewed pressurized rover for NASA’s Artemis program, and innovations in additive manufacturing and debris removal technologies.
The joint commitment between ESA and JAXA marks a new chapter in global space exploration, promising groundbreaking achievements in science, technology, and planetary defense.
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