Enthusiasm on Epsilon

However the North Koreans assert it as a missile, the Japanese celebrated successful launch of Epsilon rocket, new series of domestic-made rockets, on Saturday. The significance of the rocket is cheap cost for one launch, enabled by active use of computers, instead of human power. The Government of Japan welcomes the successful launch as marking new era of Japan’s space development, which was focusing on business and security.

Epsilon went through two accidents. The first was delay of schedule when dysfunctional line connection was found in ground control system. The second was abrupt abandonment nineteen second before launching when computer falsely detected abnormal posture of the body. The second failure seemed to be caused by high dependence on computer to cut launching cost. This time, although it delayed fifteen minutes by access of a ship to warning zone on the seawater, Epsilon successfully left ground with bright fire and white fume on the watch of fans of space technologies.

It took twelve years for this new type of rocket deployed since last type was developed. By simplifying the process of assembly and taking advantage of artificial intelligence of computer on inspection, the cost for launching an Epsilon was lowered to ¥3.8 billion, or $38 million, which was as cheap as one thirds of the cost for a current H2A rocket.

Main purpose of cost down is competitiveness in business. The Government of Japan revised its Basic Plan for Space Policy in January, in which the need for space technology in business was stressed. “[T]he space industry is required to respond to global needs, such as space development in the Asian and other emerging markets and international cooperation in disaster prevention, breaking away from the current overdependence on governmental demands,” the plan tells. Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, expects positive impact of space technology on economic growth.

Meanwhile, the development of Epsilon has been sought with security requirement. The government insisted on necessity for maintaining technology of solid fuel rockets, which can be launched quickly in contingency. Citing the improvement of navigation satellite system of China, the Plan emphasizes “demands for safety and security in light of the recent international situation.”

When one discusses technology in security context, the key point is intention. When an administration that wants to reshape self-defense force into “military force,” developments in space technology can be regarded as aggressive. Abe administration is poor in performance for persuading its activity, resulting it to be recognized as unilateral capacity building.