The Japanese government is considering adding a surveillance function to military communications satellites for defence against foreign spacecraft and protection from orbital debris.
According to the Yomiuri newspaper, Tokyo’s intention is linked to the intensification of Russia and China’s activities in space. Japan’s Ministry of Defence plans to start developing special equipment for surveillance next year. The work will take about three years, and the ministry has allocated 200 million yen (about $ 1.4 million) for its financing in the draft budget for the next fiscal year.
The launch of two new satellites with a surveillance function could take place in the 2030s, Japan plans to cooperate in this matter with the US authorities, which has already put a similar spacecraft into orbit.
