NASA in talks for Japanese spacecraft

Tag : heavy industries
CHOFU, Japan, July 20 (UPI) -- NASA officials have begunnegotiations to purchase a transfer spacecraft from the JapanAerospace Exploration Agency, a Japanese newspaper reports.


The Yomiuri Shimbun said Sunday the U.S. space agency wants to buyseveral H-2 Transfer Vehicles, a series of unmanned cargo craft,from its Japanese counterpart to eventually replace its own shuttlemodel.
The current model of National Aeronautics and Space Administrationspace shuttles is due to be retired in 2010.
If the two sides can reach agreement, it would mark the largestcontract deal in the 50-year history of Japan's space program.
The Japanese craft is being designed by a group of manufacturers,including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The H-2B vehicle thatwould be used to launch it also is under development.
The Shimbun said the advanced spacecrafts would be used to deliversupplies to the International Space Station, which both the UnitedStates and Japan are helping support.