Japan eyes moon colonized by robots
Japan plans to send robots to explore and set up a base on the moon, possibly within the next 10 years, officials said.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has formed a team of researchers to promote the exploration of the moon and planets in the solar system using robots. The agency also established a team specializing in the development of technology for the lunar-based robots, the Asahi Shimbun reported Thursday.
Japan will develop advanced robots which can operate exploration vehicles and make decisions on their own to build a base on the moon.
The exploration vehicles will be sent to the moon within 10 years, and the base completed within 20 years, officials said.
The agency also plans to launch the satellite Selene next year to orbit the moon.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International