[Interview+] How Japan Built Its Crazy Space Agency

Universe Today Podcast · Feb 11, 2026 · 51m

Japan’s space agency often flies under the radar, despite pursuing missions many larger agencies haven’t attempted. Like returning samples from Phobos or deploying a Toyota-built lunar rover. In this interview, we trace JAXA’s origins and the decisions that defined it.Watch the video here (with no ads) or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_u9ZJBLCDBQ🟣 Guest: Dr. Subodhana Wijeyeratne https://subowijeyeratne.com/📚 The Islands and the Stars: A History of Japan's Space Programs https://bdo.wfu.mybluehost.me/the-islands-the-stars/00:00 Intro 02:01 Researching JAXA 06:48 Star of Japan's space journey…