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1\21 Japan - NASDA Rpt No 126 2002 DECEMBER
Part 4 of 5

Six overseas researchers invited to the workshop are known worldwide
in their fields, and there was an enthusiastic exchange of opinions
and ideas following their lectures. Nine other overseas researchers
who attended the workshop also presented the results of their
research. The workshop is being recognized internationally. For the
future workshops, NASDA intends to seek more participation Asian
researchers.

Although symposiums and workshops on the radiation effects are held
every year in Europe and the U.S, they are seldom held in Japan.
Japanese researchers have few opportunities to exchange opinions and
the latest information. Therefore, this international workshop was a
significant event that briought together domestic and overseas
researchers to exchange information on recent trends and the results
of their research. 

By holding the workshop and presenting the research results from the
Office of Research and Development enabled us to exchange the latest
technological information about the necessity of proton irradiation
testing for commercial semiconductor memories and solar cells,
irradiation techniques for single event testing, evaluation techniques 
and proposed modeling of the space radiation environment, and so on. 
The obtained information will be incorporated into future NASDA 
research.

The next workshop will be held in Tsukuba in 2004. Also, the 3rd
Research Seminar of Irradiated Radiation Effect on Semiconductor
Devices will be held at Toyota Technical University on February 21,
2003. 


Workshop Held to Explore the Compatibility of Space Parts
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From October 30 to November 1, 2002, The 15th Microelectronics
Workshop was held in the second-floor conference room of the Space
Experiment Laboratory at Tsukuba Space Center. 

The workshop featured the interim report of Tsubasa data, the trends
and the current situation of the overseas parts program, and a panel
discussion. Eyeing on the international procurement, it successfully
addressed "the possibilities of common space parts procurements"
through the lively and forthright exchange among the participants. 

On the first day of the workshop, seven domestic parts providers set
up exhibitions. It provided a valuable opportunity to discuss
technical issues with actual parts in hands. NASDA likes to increase
the number of participating companies and individuals in the future. 

Professor Kazuyuki Suzuki of the University of Electro-Communications
presented a special lecture titled "Quality Crisis: A Basic Approach
and System to Prevent Its Occurrence". He cited familiar examples to
explain the mechanisms of accident occurrence and precautionary
techniques in easy to understand manner.

The other participants gave a keynote speech about "Interim Report on
MDS-1 and Future Expectations" and general presentation about the
interim results of its mission equipment. Overseas participants also
posed many questions to the speakers, and the results of research on
MDS-1 were well appraised. 

For perspectives on the parts registration system, speakers from
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Jet Propulsion
Laboratory ( JPL), ESA's European Space Research and Technology Center 
(ESTEC), and NASDA presented the trends and analyses of their parts 
programs. Reports were also given on trends and analyses of QML parts 
in the U.S.

On the final day, a panel discussion titled "Future International
Cooperation on Parts Technology" was held. Personnel in charge of the
parts programs at NASA/GSFC NASA/JPL, ESA/ESTEC, CNES, and NASDA
engaged in an active dialogue lasting over two hours regarding the
transition of QPL to QML, international cooperation on the procurement 
of parts, and radiation testing. We believe this discussion would be 
the first step toward international cooperation.  The work to be done 
in each theme will be hammered out in the future. 

NASDA will merge with the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science 
(ISAS) and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) in 2003.  All parts 
technology-related activities described above were devised for a 
smooth transition of parts technology-related activities following 
integration of the three space agencies, and to provide strong support 
for each project. 



Let Us Talk Space Challengers Interview with

CNES Official Representative in Japan
Mr. Norbert Paluch  

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Wishing the French-Japanese Cooperation on Daruma
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As it is evident in the ADEOS-II project and the Hope-X flight
demonstrations, French Space Agency, CNES, and NASDA hold a good
cooperative relationship. In fact, CNES has an office inside French
embassy in Tokyo. In this issue of Space Challenger, we interviewed
Mr. Norbert Paluch, who heads the Tokyo Office of CNES.

"Japan is a country of high tech, but it is also a country of
tradition. It is very similar to France in that respect and I
appreciate this very much." says Mr. Paluch.


Interviewer: Would you tell us why CNES have an office in Tokyo, and
describe what you do? 

Paluch: Well, NASDA have an office in Paris as well (laugh). It's
probably very similar. We have this office to assist the cooperation
between France and Japan. We answer questions about the research and
developments in France, or act as a contact for such questions. We
also follow what is going on in Japan and report it to France. We help 
visiting French space officials during their stay in Japan as well.

Interviewer: I understand you are a very busy person, but have you had 
a chance to see any rocket launch in Japan? 

Paluch: Oh yes, of course. I go to Tanegashima for every launch and
write reports to France.. I've seen the launch of ISAS rocket once as
well. 

Interviewer: Let us talk about the difference between France and
Japan. When there is a launch failure and so forth in Japan, presses
are very unforgiving. Is that the same in France? 

Paluch: Actually, I was surprised how different it is in France and
Japan. We have experienced launch failures, such as the Ariane V
failure in 1996. I know how Japanese engineers must have felt when
they had the similar failure. It is very tough. But, French people
support Ariane. They'd say, "Well, you failed this time. All right,
move on and do better the next time." Failure happens. You see, C'est
la vie! . 

Interviewer: Do you think that difference come from their way of
thinking?

Paluch: French and Japanese people do seem to think differently. I
think French people tend to be more analytical, and Japanese people
seem to be more inclined for experience. For instance, French people
like to know "WHY things happen" and Japanese seem to prefer to know
"HOW things happens". It is consequently good, for people with so
different ways of thinking to cooperate. 

(continued)

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