The Global Observing SATellite for Greenhouse gases and Water cycle “IBUKI GW” (GOSAT-GW), jointly developed by JAXA, the Ministry of the Environment, and the National Institute for Environmental Studies, was successfully launched on June 29, 2025 (Japan Standard Time), and is currently undergoing its initial functional verification operations.
Of the two sensors onboard the satellite, the Total Anthropogenic and Natural emissions mapping SpectrOmeter-3 (TANSO-3) conducted its first observations in mid-July. The other sensor, the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 3 (AMSR3), began its observations in mid-August. The results of these initial observations have been published in press releases.
The satellite “IBUKI GW” (GOSAT-GW) is scheduled to undergo initial functional verification operations for about three months after launch. It will soon transition to initial calibration and validation operations, including sensor accuracy checks and data corrections, which are expected to continue for about one year after launch, before shifting to nominal observation operations. JAXA, in collaboration with the prime contractor, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and other partner companies and organizations involved in satellite operations, will continue to steadily carry out each step toward nominal operations.

JAXA Astronaut ONISHI Takuya, who returned to Earth on August 10, is currently undergoing rehabilitation training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center under the supervision of JAXA’s flight surgeon, and is reported to be in good health.

We believe that Astronaut Onishi will continue to make contributions in various fields to further advance Japan’s space development and international cooperation, building on the experience he gained during his approximately five-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronaut Yui, who took over the mission baton from Astronaut Onishi, has been on his long-duration mission aboard the ISS for about a month and is actively engaged in on-orbit science experiments and other activities.

Among Astronaut Yui’s recent activities are the preparation and sample installation for the Plant Cell Division experiment, which studies the effects of space environments on cell division in plants, and the implementation of the experiment. In addition, he has started acquiring data from an experiment on the properties of high-melting-point materials using the Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF), and is also continuing the Fundamental Research on International Standard of Fire Safety in Space-base for safety of future manned mission (FLARE).
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Consortium for Satellite Earth Observation (CONSEO) and the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, JAXA is actively engaged in promoting the Feel the Earth Project, an initiative that links Earth images captured by Astronaut Yui with satellite-based Earth observation data and information related to disaster prevention.

Launch preparations are currently underway at the Tanegashima Space Center (TNSC) for the October 21 launch of the new unmanned cargo transfer spacecraft1 (HTV-X1), designed to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), and the 7th H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F7). JAXA will continue to focus on the preparations through close collaboration among the members of the two projects as well as with related companies.

In order to respond to the growing international efforts in planetary defense aimed at preparing for threats from near-Earth objects, JAXA established a Planetary Defense Team in April 2024 and has since been promoting its activities.

In the JAXA-ESA Joint Statement on Next Big Cooperations, issued in November 2024, JAXA noted the possibility of cooperating in the RAMSES mission conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA). Following this, we have accelerated our consideration of providing three items: thermal infrared imager, thin membrane solar array wings, and possible launch opportunities.
The government has also referred to JAXA’s consideration of participation in the international collaboration framework on the near-Earth asteroid Apophis in the Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy revised in December 2024, as well as in the key priorities for the plan’s further revision, announced in May 2025.
Given that participation in RAMSES by leveraging Japan’s technological strength is expected to have a significant ripple effect across industry, government, and academia in Japan, and that the technical feasibility of thermal infrared imager, thin membrane solar array wings, and a launch on the H3 Launch Vehicle has been confirmed, JAXA expressed its intention to provide these three items at the 98th Committee on Space Development and Utilization held on August 22, 2025.
In preparation for formal collaboration with ESA, we are currently arranging specific matters to be decided, taking into account the outcome of ESA’s ministerial-level meeting scheduled for November 2025.

The Space Strategy Fund’s second-phase themes, a total of 24, have been sequentially opened for proposals since May, with 23 themes already announced. Today, following this press conference, we will open the call for the final theme. With this, all 24 second-phase themes of the Space Strategy Fund will have been publicly opened.
As part of our efforts to raise awareness about the public calls, we have announced the approximate opening dates for all 24 technology development themes and have taken every opportunity to introduce them at various events across the country. We would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who has supported these activities.
JAXA hopes that more people will take interest in the Space Strategy Fund themes, consider participating, and submit high-quality proposals.

The JAXA Space Education Center, which marked its 20th anniversary in May, offers experience-based learning opportunities for students ranging from high school to graduate school.
Today, I would like to introduce two of its programs: the JAXA Aerospace School for high school students and the ISEB Student Program for undergraduate and graduate students.

As for the JAXA Aerospace School, it is a residential educational program in which high school students work together on aerospace missions at JAXA’s centers.
Students attend lectures delivered by JAXA’s experts who are actively working on the front lines of the aerospace field, participate in hands-on activities, tour facilities, and engage in group projects. The program aims to foster their curiosity about science and technology and to help them explore potential pathways for their future.
The JAXA Aerospace School has been held annually since fiscal year 2014, with more than 1,100 graduates over the past 11 years.
As in previous years, the JAXA Aerospace School was held from July through August this year, in conjunction with students’ summer vacation, at JAXA’s Kakuda, Taiki, Chofu, and Tsukuba centers. Based on essays describing their motivation to participate, a total of 75 students were selected from high schools, secondary schools, and technical colleges across Japan, spanning from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south.
Many participants have a strong interest in space, science, and technology, and join this program to explore potential career paths and future possibilities. Regardless of their academic background—whether in science or the humanities—there are those who aspire to pursue aerospace-related careers and those who are still considering their options.
Some students, who previously had no one around them to share their interest in space, found like-minded peers through the JAXA Aerospace School. They were inspired by specialized lectures and hands-on experiences they had never encountered before, and broadened their perspectives on their future. I also heard that, by sharing their dreams with others, some students came to recognize the core values underlying what they truly want to pursue.

Next, I would like to introduce the ISEB Student Program, an international counterpart to the aforementioned experience-based educational program.
The International Space Education Board (ISEB) is a framework comprising the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and JAXA as its founding organizations.

One of its activities is the ISEB Student Program, held on the global stage of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), where students present their research results, deepen their knowledge through exchanges with experts and peers from around the world, and foster international understanding, nurturing the next generation of talent to lead future space activities.
Since its launch in 1999, the ISEB Student Program has produced more than 400 graduates.
This year, ten undergraduate and graduate students from Japan, selected based on their essays and interviews, are scheduled to participate in the program, which will be held in Sydney, Australia, for six days starting on September 28.

Graduates of the two programs that I introduced today are now actively working in the aerospace field. JAXA will continue to strive to nurture talented individuals who will lead the future of aerospace.