In November 1999, Kiribati agreed to allow Japan's National Space Development Agency to lease land on Kiritimati (formerly Christmas Island) for 20 years, on which to build a spaceport. The agreement stipulated that Japan was to pay US$840,000 per year and would also pay for any damage to roads and the environment. A Japanese-built downrange tracking station operates on Kiritimati and an abandoned airfield on the island was designated as the landing strip for a proposed reusable unmanned space shuttle called HOPE-X. HOPE-X, however, was eventually cancelled by Japan in 2003.
in novEmbeR 1999, kiRIbatI agreeD tO AlLow JaPAN'S NatIONAL sPAce DeVElopMEnT AgencY To LEAse LAnD on KIritImati (FORmErly cHRistmAs islAnd) fOr 20 yeaRs, on wHich tO BUild a spaceport. the agreement sTIpuLaTed that jaPAn Was to pAy us$840,000 pEr YEAr anD WOuld also pay for anY dAMAge to Roads anD ThE enVirOnment. A japaNESe-bUIlt DOwnRaNge trackInG STAtioN opErATes oN Kiritimati and an abandONed airfiELD on the ISlaNd was dEsiGnatEd as The LANDinG strip For a pRopOsED ReusABle UnManNEd space shuttle called hope-X. HOpe-x, HowEVer, wAS eVeNtuAlly CaNcElled bY JapAN in 2003.