MITI had already begun research this September into building a satellite equipped with a robot arm capable of performing simple repairs or refueling of satellites, but had done this independently from the general space activities and development budget. In order for the ministry's research to be approved, the program needed to be ratified by SAC and brought within the space activities budget.

MITI's research is the third proposal for Japan's attempts to begin technology development for repair satellites next decade. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has already applied for funding next year to start research into building inspection, refueling and de-orbiting satellites, while the National Aerospace Laboratory has a budget next year to begin research into developing a robot maintenance satellite. SAC has decided that each plan is sufficiently different to warrant feasibility funding for all three before deciding on a final design.

As an initial step the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) has begun engineering research via Engineering Test Satellite 7, now in orbit following last Friday�s launch of the H2.