The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) leads the Kibo-ABC program within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), promoting the utilization of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station (ISS) and the sharing of its outcomes across the Asia-Pacific region. Through this initiative, JAXA collaborates with participating nations—including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines—to provide opportunities for researchers and engineers to conduct space experiments, support human resource development, and facilitate the creation of bilateral cooperation projects with Japan.

Prerequisites:

• Access to space science data and analysis capabilities

• International partnerships with agencies or commercial providers

• Procurement pathway

• Partner support as needed

Cost:

Entry-Level Partnerships (Training, Data Sharing, Small Experiments)

• Ballpark: USD 50k–500k

• Includes: participation in international programmes, researcher exchanges, small experiment preparation, training workshops, travel, data sharing agreements

Mid-Tier Partnerships (Co-funding Instruments or Payloads)

• Ballpark: USD 1M–10M

• Includes: design and co-funding of scientific instruments or payloads for partner missions, joint prototyping and testing, integration with host spacecraft, researcher training, data access and analysis, ground support for mission participation.

Advanced Partnerships (Large International Facilities/Observatories)

• Ballpark: USD 5M–50M

• Includes: membership fees or contributions to large-scale research infrastructures (e.g., SKAO), domestic facilities for data analysis, long-term researcher participation, staff exchanges, workshops and conferences, access rights to global datasets.

Timeframe:

Entry-Level Partnerships (Training, Data Sharing, Small Experiments)

• Overall: 12–24 mo

• Phases: scoping/partnership negotiation (3–6 mo), experiment/data preparation (6–9 mo), execution/data use (3–6 mo), analysis/dissemination (3–6 mo)

Mid-Tier Partnerships (Co-funding Instruments or Payloads)

• Overall: 24–48 mo

• Phases: scoping & agreements (6–9 mo), design/prototyping (9–15 mo), integration/testing (9–15 mo), launch/operations & data use (6–12 mo)

Advanced Partnerships (Large International Facilities/Observatories)

• Overall: 36–72 mo

• Phases: negotiation & membership (12–18 mo), infrastructure/data access & integration (12–24 mo), research participation & analysis (12–30 mo), results dissemination (ongoing)

Pros:

• Technology Access – Enables access to cutting-edge technologies through collaboration with space-leading nations.

• Cost Efficiency – Reduces mission expenses by sharing resources through joint research initiatives.

Considerations:

• Multinational Decision-Making Complexity – Involves coordination among multiple nations, which can complicate and slow down the decision-making process due to differing priorities and governance structures.

• Funding Stability Requirement – Requires consistent and long-term financial commitment to ensure continuity and success of extended space projects.