U.S.A.-Japan space cooperation: modelling new opportunities for space sustainability & data sharing through framework and implementing agreements
Abstract The peaceful use and exploration of space is a hallmark of the Space Age. Cooperation and diplomatic efforts by States to engage in joint space science ventures have produced profound and technologically impressive innovation. Despite this, space is becoming increasingly congested and competitive, so one task of space diplomacy must be to determine continued peaceful and cooperative exploration of space by States that have their own independent needs and goals for space activity. Japan and the United States, through recent diplomatic exchanges that have led to a series of bilateral agreements, have demonstrated one possible diplomatic model that could be expanded and modified to cover other spacefaring States’ needs and interests in the utilization and scientific exploration in space. Framework agreements have created geopolitical scaffolding that permit States to generate implementing arrangements that enhance ties between the parties, create clarity of purpose, and define current and future State actions. Such implementing agreements fulfill State obligations under the Outer Space Treaty regime and fertilize the ground for bilateral and multilateral space-based science projects.
- Referencias
- Cómo citar
- Del mismo autor
- Métricas
Agreement concerning cooperation on the International Space Station, with implementing arrangement, Multilateral (12927) (1998).
Artemis Accords: Principles for cooperation in the civil exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids (2020). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Artemis-Accords-signed-13Oct2020.pdf
Aust, A. (2010). Handbook of international law (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Awareness-raising and capacity-building related to the implementation of the guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities (n.d.). United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Retrieved December 29, 2024, https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/topics/promoting-space-sustainability.html
Bartoki-Gonczy, B., Ganczer, M., & Sulyok, G. (2024). Space sustainability: Current regulatory challenges. Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies, 65(2), 260–281.
Chelsea, Gohd (2022, August 10). Russian anti-satellite test a “dangerous and irresponsible” act that threatens astronauts, U.S. says. Space.com. https://www.space.com/russia-asat-test-space-debris-dangerous-irresponsible
European Space Agency (2024). How many space debris objects are currently in orbit? https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Clean_Space/How_many_space_debris_objects_are_currently_in_orbit
Exchanges of notes between Japan and the United States of America for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. (2023). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_003241.html
Framework agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America for cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, for peaceful purposes (2023). https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100446931.pdf
IADC (2021). IADC-02-01 space debris guidelines (Rev. 3).
Khan, A., & Ullah, S. (2020). Space weaponisation and challenges to global space governance. Annals of Air and Space Law, 45, 401–428.
Lachs, M. (2010). The law of outer space: An experience in contemporary lawmaking (2010 ed.). Martinus Nijhoff. Original work published 1972.
Memorandum of understanding between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America and the European Space Agency concerning cooperation on the civil International Space Station (1998). https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/107499.pdf
Memorandum of understanding between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America and the Government of Japan concerning cooperation on the civil International Space Station (1998). https://csps.aerospace.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/MoU%20on%20Space%20Station%20Cooperation%20-%20Japan%20Feb98.pdf
Memorandum of understanding between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America and the Government of Japan concerning cooperation on the civil Lunar Gateway (2020).
Mirmina, S. (2005). Reducing the proliferation of orbital debris: Alternatives to a legally binding instrument. American Journal of International Law, 99(3), 649–662.
NASA (n.d.). Artemis Accords. Retrieved March 9, 2026, https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/
NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (2010, January). NASA orbital debris quarterly, 14(1). https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/newsletter/pdfs/ODQNv14i1.pdf
National Space Policy of the United States of America (2020). https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/National-Space-Policy.pdf
Outer Space Treaty, Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies (1967, Jan. 27). 18 U.S.T. 2410, 610 U.N.T.S. 205.
Reynolds, G. H., & Merges, R. P. (1997). Outer space: Problems of law and policy. Routledge.
Russian direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test creates significant, long-lasting space debris (2021, November 13). U.S. Space Command. https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/2842957
Shaw, M. (2008). International law (6th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Signatories of the U.S.-led Artemis Accords meet in person for the first time (2023). American Journal of International Law, 117(1), 133–139. https://doi.org/10.1017/ajil.2022.88
Tan, D. (2000). Towards a new regime for the protection of outer space as the province of all mankind. Yale Journal of International Law, 25(1), 145–194.
Treaty of mutual cooperation and security between Japan and the United States of America (1960). https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/q&a/ref/1.html
United Nations (2010). Space debris mitigation guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/library/Space-Debris-Mitigation-Guidelines_COPUOS.pdf
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969, May 23). 1155 U.N.T.S. 331.
Vylegzhanin, A., Yuzbashyan, M., & Suvorov, G. (2025). The legal regime of natural resources of celestial bodies: Current state of the relevant Russian laws and perspectives for common BRICS legal approach. BRICS Law Journal, 12(2), 5–42.
Artemis Accords: Principles for cooperation in the civil exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids (2020). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Artemis-Accords-signed-13Oct2020.pdf
Aust, A. (2010). Handbook of international law (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Awareness-raising and capacity-building related to the implementation of the guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities (n.d.). United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Retrieved December 29, 2024, https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/topics/promoting-space-sustainability.html
Bartoki-Gonczy, B., Ganczer, M., & Sulyok, G. (2024). Space sustainability: Current regulatory challenges. Hungarian Journal of Legal Studies, 65(2), 260–281.
Chelsea, Gohd (2022, August 10). Russian anti-satellite test a “dangerous and irresponsible” act that threatens astronauts, U.S. says. Space.com. https://www.space.com/russia-asat-test-space-debris-dangerous-irresponsible
European Space Agency (2024). How many space debris objects are currently in orbit? https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Clean_Space/How_many_space_debris_objects_are_currently_in_orbit
Exchanges of notes between Japan and the United States of America for the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission. (2023). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_003241.html
Framework agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America for cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, for peaceful purposes (2023). https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100446931.pdf
IADC (2021). IADC-02-01 space debris guidelines (Rev. 3).
Khan, A., & Ullah, S. (2020). Space weaponisation and challenges to global space governance. Annals of Air and Space Law, 45, 401–428.
Lachs, M. (2010). The law of outer space: An experience in contemporary lawmaking (2010 ed.). Martinus Nijhoff. Original work published 1972.
Memorandum of understanding between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America and the European Space Agency concerning cooperation on the civil International Space Station (1998). https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/107499.pdf
Memorandum of understanding between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America and the Government of Japan concerning cooperation on the civil International Space Station (1998). https://csps.aerospace.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/MoU%20on%20Space%20Station%20Cooperation%20-%20Japan%20Feb98.pdf
Memorandum of understanding between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States of America and the Government of Japan concerning cooperation on the civil Lunar Gateway (2020).
Mirmina, S. (2005). Reducing the proliferation of orbital debris: Alternatives to a legally binding instrument. American Journal of International Law, 99(3), 649–662.
NASA (n.d.). Artemis Accords. Retrieved March 9, 2026, https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/
NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (2010, January). NASA orbital debris quarterly, 14(1). https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/newsletter/pdfs/ODQNv14i1.pdf
National Space Policy of the United States of America (2020). https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/National-Space-Policy.pdf
Outer Space Treaty, Treaty on principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies (1967, Jan. 27). 18 U.S.T. 2410, 610 U.N.T.S. 205.
Reynolds, G. H., & Merges, R. P. (1997). Outer space: Problems of law and policy. Routledge.
Russian direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test creates significant, long-lasting space debris (2021, November 13). U.S. Space Command. https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/2842957
Shaw, M. (2008). International law (6th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Signatories of the U.S.-led Artemis Accords meet in person for the first time (2023). American Journal of International Law, 117(1), 133–139. https://doi.org/10.1017/ajil.2022.88
Tan, D. (2000). Towards a new regime for the protection of outer space as the province of all mankind. Yale Journal of International Law, 25(1), 145–194.
Treaty of mutual cooperation and security between Japan and the United States of America (1960). https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/q&a/ref/1.html
United Nations (2010). Space debris mitigation guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/library/Space-Debris-Mitigation-Guidelines_COPUOS.pdf
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969, May 23). 1155 U.N.T.S. 331.
Vylegzhanin, A., Yuzbashyan, M., & Suvorov, G. (2025). The legal regime of natural resources of celestial bodies: Current state of the relevant Russian laws and perspectives for common BRICS legal approach. BRICS Law Journal, 12(2), 5–42.
Dodge, M. S. (2025). U.S.A.-Japan space cooperation: modelling new opportunities for space sustainability & data sharing through framework and implementing agreements. Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology, 14, e33283. https://doi.org/10.14201/art2025.33283
Similar Articles
- Esther Yu, Cecilia Brassett, Edward Choi, Anette Wu, A scoping review of health profession students as stakeholders in science diplomacy , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 14 (2025)
- Sofia Belardinelli, Lorenzo Ciccarese, Scientific environmental diplomacy: a key asset for governing the biodiversity crisis , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 14 (2025)
- Luis Fernando Castillo-Argañarás, Space diplomacy and international cooperation in disaster management. A case study , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 14 (2025)
- Francisco Del Canto Viterale, Introduction to monographic section. Science diplomacy: actors, topics, and challenges , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 14 (2025)
- Lorenzo Delgado Gómez-Escalonilla, R&D policy in the United States and the background of science diplomacy. Historical insights , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 14 (2025)
- Noemí Sanz Merino, Oliver Todt, Europe’s Pretense and Reality for Better Governance in the case of Health Claims Regulation , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 14 (2025)
- Fábio Portela Lopes De Almeida, Frans de Waal, Legal Philosopher , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 13 No. 1 (2024): Philosophical Primatology: Reflections on the Work of Frans de Waal
- Santiago Cobo Martínez, An introduction to the ethical and social problems of bodybuilding , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 13 No. 2 (2024): Embracing the Interdisciplinary Nature of STS Studies
- Janvi Gandhi Kanakia, Dr. Whose access, whose agenda? Artificial intelligence/machine learning expansion in unequal societies: the case of India , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 14 (2025)
- Laura Tascón González, Importance of Scientific Dissemination of Natural Risks in Geoparks, Proposal for Las Loras Geopark (Palencia, Spain) , Artefactos. Philosophical Studies on Science and Technology: Vol. 12 No. 2 (2023)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
+
−