For
future space development and rich life on the Earth
ISS provides
mankind with a basis for full-scale activities in space. Man's dreams of space
take a giant stride forward. Utilizing the near-zero-gravity environment in ISS,
new types of materials will be developed. In addition, astronomical observations
will be conducted to solve the secret of space, Earth observations will track
global environmental changes, and researches will be conducted for mankind to
live in space.
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 | Microgravity
Science | Microgravity Experiment
- New material development in a microgravity environment -
In
an environment with no gravity, differences of weight or specific gravity of materials
do not cause materials to move or mix due to convection. Utilizing such an environment,
it will become possible to conduct research and development on new or higher quality
material. These experiments will provide new materials medicines useful for our
daily life. | 
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| In a microgravity environment,
protein crystals can be grown with better quality than
on Earth. These crystals will be analyzed to clarify the
structure of proteins. This will promote research into
the causes of sicknesses or development of medicines. |
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| Life
science experiment | Life
science experiment - Clarify the evolution of life and adaptation ability -
How did living things develop the ability to adapt to various environments? Gravity
is an important element of the environment. However ground research into gravitational
effects is very difficult.
Research to clarify such questions will become
possible in a microgravity environment.
Such basic research will be very important
if mankind is to explore space in the future.
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| Small creature growth
experiment. Investigate the effect of the space environment
through birth, growth and generation change. |
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| Space
medicine / Manned space technology | Space
medicine - for healthy life in space -
To
prepare for space ages to come, investigate the effect of space environment or
the closed environment of space ships on human mental and physical health, and
establish measures to cope with various symptoms caused by those effects.
Manned space technology - A comfortable life living
and traveling in space -
So that astronauts
might be more comfortable during travel between space and the Earth or their daily
lives in space, research and development will be conducted on elemental technologies
such as control of human activity or the environment, and on technologies related
to human engineering.
| The technological results
from space medicine experiments or manned space activities
are expected not only to solve problems specific to space
activities, but also to be utilized for daily life or
medical treatment on the Earth. |
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| Space
science | Astronomical
observation - Unravel the mystery of space -
The growth of space and its
environment or structure will be investigated by taking advantage of the atmosphere-free
and wide visibility of space environment. |  |
| Earth-bound
telescopes cannot acquire detailed photographs. Space-borne
instruments, however, can acquire the clear photographs
ever taken. |
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| Earth
science / Earth observation | Earth
observation - To protect the Earth and mankind -From
ISS, 85% of the Earth's surface can be observed. Continuously monitoring and investigating
the Earth from space using this "space eye" with wider visibility should
facilitate solving environmental problems.
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| Observation of land,
water and the atmosphere. A wide area of geology and ocean
current temperatures can be observed simultaneously. |
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| Space
utilization technology development | Technology,
science and engineering - to evolve space activities -
Robotics, communications, energy, and other technologies needed for future space
activities will be developed through tests in space.
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| Device endurance and
operability can be investigated by exposing devices to
be used in space to the actual space environment. |
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