Question

Researchers at Kyoto University and contractor Kajima Corp. presented plans to build living facilities required for human habitation on the moon and Mars and a transportation system reminiscent of a galaxy express. “There is no plan like this in other countries’ space development plans,” said Yosuke Yamashiki, director of the SIC Human Space ology Center of Kyoto University, at a July 5 news conference at the university. “Our plan represents important technologies crucial to ensuring human beings will be able to move to space in the future.” They announced that they will undertake a joint study to achieve the plan.
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However, the plan will only become possible in the 22nd century, at the earliest.

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At the core of the plan is constructing “artificial gravity living facilities.” The facilities will be able to generate the same level of gravity as on Earth by using centrifugal force1 created by rotational motions. One of these facilities, called Lunar Glass, will be built on the moon under the plan. Another called Mars Glass will be constructed on Mars. Gravity on the moon and Mars are one-sixth and one-third of that on Earth, respectively. The facilities will help reduce the impact on the health of people living on the moon or Mars that could be caused by low gravity, according to the researchers. They also plan to create space in the living facilities complete with forests or waterfronts by mimicking the biodiversity on Earth.

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Although they expect constructing the massive facilities will take them around 100 years, they aim to build a simplified version of them on the moon by 2050.

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The plan also includes building a transportation system called the “Hexagon Space Track System,” reminiscent of a galaxy express, to travel between Earth, the moon, and Mars. The system’s space train, as large as a Shinkansen,2 will also generate artificial gravity and travel like trains running on Earth, according to the researchers. It will stop at “stations,” which will be built on satellites orbiting the Earth, the moon, or Mars. Linear motors or rocket engines will be used to launch it when it departs from the moon or Mars. Each car of the train will be separated at the stations and be transported in hexagon capsules when traveling between the planets to avoid being exposed to cosmic rays.


An artist’s image of an artifical gravity living facility called Mars Glass on Mars.

Illustrations of Anti-Gravity Building and Mars Glass © Kajima Corp.

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“As the idea of living in space becomes more realistic, the problem with the low gravity, which I intuitively became aware of when I was a child, is an issue we must overcome,” said Takuya Ono, a project associate professor with the center and a senior researcher at Kajima, a major general contractor. “We are committed to achieving the plan so it will be useful for human beings.“ ❧



Practice
Complete the activity and answer the questions with your group.

Analyze Reread each passage identified in the first column of the chart. Then, complete the chart by noting the types of details provided in the text and then telling what purpose those details serve.
PASSAGE

TYPES OF DETAILS PROVIDED

PURPOSE OF THOSE DETAILS

Selection Title and Paragraph 1

Researchers at Kyoto University and contractor Kajima Corp. presented plans to build living facilities required for human habitation
TO INFORM
Paragraph 3

Paragraph 5

Analyze Review your responses in the chart. What is the author’s overall purpose for writing the science feature?






Speculate If the author of this article wanted to persuade an audience that Japan’s work should be supported by other countries, what changes might be made to the text?

Answer 1

Here are suggested completions for the chart and answers to the follow-up questions.

Chart

Selection: Title and Paragraph 1
- Types of details provided: headline statement of the project and who is involved (Kyoto University, Kajima), quote saying it’s unique, announcement of joint study.
- Purpose of those details: to inform readers about the existence of the project, establish credibility and novelty, and introduce the story.

Selection: Paragraph 3
- Types of details provided: technical explanation of “artificial gravity living facilities” (centrifugal force, Earth-level gravity), names/examples of proposed facilities (Lunar Glass, Mars Glass), gravity comparisons (moon = 1/6g, Mars = 1/3g), stated health rationale, vision for Earth-like interiors (forests, waterfronts).
- Purpose of those details: to explain the core technology and its scientific rationale, justify the need (health effects of low gravity), and help readers visualize the intended living environments.

Selection: Paragraph 5
- Types of details provided: description of the “Hexagon Space Track System” and space train (size comparison to Shinkansen), how it will operate (stations on orbiting satellites, linear motors or rockets for departure), modular safety measure (cars separated into hexagon capsules to protect against cosmic rays), artificial-gravity feature.
- Purpose of those details: to clarify how transportation between Earth, moon, and Mars would work, show practical design and safety considerations, and make the concept relatable (train analogy) while emphasizing engineering feasibility.

Analyze — author’s overall purpose
- To inform readers about a proposed, visionary Japanese plan for human habitation and transportation in space—explaining the core technologies, intended benefits, timeline, and why the plan is notable.

Speculate — changes to persuade other countries to support the project
- Add endorsements and quotes from international space experts or agencies to build credibility.
- Include cost estimates, feasibility studies, and timelines demonstrating realism and return on investment.
- Emphasize global benefits (scientific discoveries, economic opportunities, disaster resilience, shared infrastructure) and how international partners would gain access or leadership roles.
- Address likely objections (safety, cost, timelines) with mitigation plans and risk assessments.
- Use stronger persuasive language and a clear call to action inviting collaboration or funding.
- Provide more human-centered stories or visuals to generate public and political support (e.g., potential jobs, scientific missions).
- Propose specific collaboration mechanisms (joint funding models, technology-sharing agreements, governance frameworks).