Humanity has come a long way, but our development has also raised questions about our continued survival on Earth. We must maintain the environment to sustain all life on this planet. If we don't, we will be facing our own extinction. I believe that space development can make great contributions to both our safety and our future. It is important, for example, to predict natural phenomena such as earthquakes and typhoons as quickly as possible, and to establish systems for emergency management. These are things to which space development has already contributed a great deal. Furthermore, in the long run, it might be possible for humanity to extend its zone of habitation beyond Earth.
During its long history of space development, Japan has made steady progress and great contributions to the world. I look forward to its further contributions in the future.
Bearing in mind the importance of new challenges, JAXA hopes to play an ever greater role in space development.
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 Our primary goal for the H-IIA launch vehicle was to improve reliability and countermeasures. Acknowledging the inadequacy of these in the past, thorough tests were performed. As a member of the Space Activities Commission, I evaluated the progress, and later as President of JAXA, I reviewed the results, which had been studied in detail, and confirmed the completion of the tests. We have faithfully responded to the recommendations of the Space Activities Commission, and I have concluded that we are ready to do final testing on the launch pad. All that is left now is to do our best during the launch.
Also, we are testing a new precaution: we have engaged a third party to perform additional oversight, which will be very helpful to JAXA. |
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