Reflections of science and culture

• Published in: Aerospace America 2008-10, Vol.46 (10), p.8
• Main Author: Westlake, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Government agencies; Industrialized nations; Japanese culture; Poetry; R&D; Research & development; Space exploration
• ISSN: 0740-722X

Westlake examines the culture as well as the scientific advancements in Japan, particularly in space and astronautical science. Behind the cultural mask is a technically advanced nation that can boast a level of scientific research on par with the best that the rest of the world has to offer. This is amply demonstrated by the quality of the research being done by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA), an umbrella agency formed in Oct 2003 by the merging of several formerly independent bodies: the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan, and the National Space Development Agency of Japan. Here, Westlake also discusses the scientific projects or space exploration efforts made by JAXA. Moreover, JAXA espoused a Japanese idea of the "space poem chain," in which people of all ages and all nationalities alternately write (in Japanese or English) either a three- or five-line poem to convey the idea of space travel, the stars, and the wonders of the universe. Furthermore, he notes that the idea behind the space chain poetry project is to get beyond education as a tuition/learning process and to inspire not just children but people of all ages.