Press Release


  This press release is issued by NASDA.

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Selection of Prime Contractor for Privatization of H-IIA Standard Type Launch Vehicle

November 20, 2002 (JST)

National Space Development Agency of Japan

The followings were reported in the Space Activities Commission held today.

1. Agenda

Selection of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) as a candidate for the prime contractor for the privatization of H-IIA standard type launch vehicle

2. Background

  1. The Council for Science and Technology Policy on19 June 2002 and the Space Activities Commission on 26 Jun 2002 respectively decided to place the H-IIA standard type launch vehicle as a key Japanese launch vehicle with priority use, and to transfer it to the private sector.
  2. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) compiled an interim report based on the discussion at the working group on the privatization of H-IIA Launch Vehicle on 28 August 2002. MEXT set up a basic guideline on the conditions of privatization, division of responsibility between the public and private sectors, selection of a prime contractor, etc.
  3. NASDA reported to the Space Activities Commission the selection procedures of a prime contractor for the privatization of H-IIA standard type launch vehicle on 23 October 2002, and started receiving applications from private companies.
  4. MHI filed an application to NASDA on 8 November 2002, and no other companies applied.
  5. MHI was selected as a candidate for the prime contractor for the privatization of H-IIA standard type launch vehicle at the meeting of NASDA's Board of Directors on 20 November 2002.

3. Evaluation Process

In accordance with qualifications and selection criteria described in the selection procedures, NASDA's relevant departments and offices checked and evaluated the application papers. The Office of Space Transportation Systems coordinated their evaluations and summarized them.

4. Evaluation Results

  1. Confirmation of Qualification Requirements
    MHI was confirmed as a qualified company due to its current Corporate Registry Book Certificates and the Security Report.
  2. Appropriateness of Selection Criteria
    NASDA came to the final judgment that MHI was a qualified company to meet the selection criteria.

5. Future Plan

Based upon the final report of the working group on the privatization of H-IIA Launch Vehicle organized by MEXT, NASDA will plan to enter into a contract with MHI on the privatization in late December 2002.