The Moon is where all the action is. After the Americans landed more than half a century back, there is renewed interest in the moon. President Donald Trump has asked NASA to return there while other countries are drawing up plans to explore it for its untapped wealth of natural resources. China has targeted its far side and Japan is set to join the band of pioneers. Its aerospace exploration agency has roped in Toyota to develop a suitable moon rover to undertake a survey of the surface.

Daily Mail UK reports Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has entrusted the task of building a suitable vehicle to the Japanese car manufacturer Toyota.

If all goes well, Japan could become the fifth country to get a foothold on the moon after the bigwigs like China, Russia, Israel, and the United States.

The Japanese have experience in space research

Toyota has been involved in activities related to space research and developed a robot for the International Space Station. JAXA has, to its credit, some experience in space research. JAXA tasted success when their spacecraft, Hayabusa 2 contacted with an asteroid. It is obvious that artificial intelligence and robotics will play a major role in exploiting the riches on offer.

Mars rovers, Curiosity and InSight, are proof that programmed devices can help humans take control of distant situations.

Daily Mail UK says JAXA could share details about its moon lander project probably at a symposium in Tokyo. Japan has expertise in artificial intelligence and robotics. Both of these are an integral part of space research and its project to have a vehicle on the alien surface should be feasible The present plans by all countries appear to be of unmanned exploration.

Moon is Japan’s next destination

According to Times Now News, Toyota will join hands with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for a mission to the Moon. It will be a leap for the auto giant because it had developed a small robot for the International Space Station and will now develop a lunar rover for JAXA. The Moon, also known as the "eighth continent" of the Earth, is attracting countries to its folds.

They are pioneers who are trying to assess the potential of its untapped natural resources.

NASA put the first man on the moon in 1967 and, before others arrive there again, the American space agency plans to land an unmanned vehicle there by 2024. Apart from the US, other countries like Russia and China have also landed their spacecraft on the Moon. Very soon, they could be defining their new boundaries.
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