In space... nobody can hand you a screwdriver...

Although pretty much EVERYTHING pales in comparison to Lucky☆Star
(...weirdos) there is some exciting news coming out of Japan.

The Japanese AP has released a statement from the country's space agency that they plan to send a probe into space to constantly orbit the moon. This is said to be the first step in really kicking Japan's space program into high gear, and may soon lead the way to the first manned lunar landing in decades.

The probe costs nearly 32 billion Yen (US 269 million, EU 200 million) and will be sent into space by the consumer electronics company Mitsubishi.

This probe itself will be Japan's second ever satellite sent into space, their last being in 1972 (the fourth country in history).

Japan has had some very notable setbacks in its aerospace career, but some believe this recent leap back into the dark abyss is a chance to play catch-up with China, which is building a space program of its own.

Of course, this won't be the first time in a long while something or someone from Japan has visited space. Japanese astronauts have joined NASA in several missions to space in the past.

Edit: Oh, by the way, did anyone find my hidden "sausage link" (pun intended) that I put in my last post!?! Hint: It's not plainly visible, ergo, hidden!
Edit edit: Sorry, this isn't Japan's second ever satellite into space, but it will be their second ever satellite or craft sent to the moon. Thanks, Kami.