Japanese space engineers are embarking on an ambitious plan to have a permanent base on the moon no later than 2030. Ideally, construction would begin in 2020, and finish ten years later.
First, they intend to launch a probe into lunar orbit in 2007, which will then be followed by a robotic mission on the moon's surface. How much this will all cost as well as the strategic aspects of the plan are not defined as of yet.
This newest ambition represents a turn-around for the Japanese space industry, who suffered an embarrassing setback in 2003 after an attempted spy satellite launch failed. NASA, as well as the ESA, also have lunar research plans in the works.
