The National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has opened the Space Component Engineering Centre, which is available internationally and expected to be widely utilized. It is open to the government sector, universities and private companies. The intention is for it not only to promote R&D activities conducted by the existing space component expert groups of NASDA's Office of Research and Development, but also to focus on promotion of consistent project cooperation, quality assessment of foreign and domestic components, and the conversion of civilian parts technology to space.
The opening of the new centre is NASDA's latest move to strengthen its basic technology by setting up R&D and supply systems related to space parts and materials which are fundamental for ensuring reliability and quality of launch vehicles, satellites and other space systems.
As part of its activities, the Centre will also make public technical information regarding common space components including qualified components and qualified test specifications.