Lunar Exploration Program "HAKUTO-R" Announces Partners
ispace ( https://ispace-inc.com/jpn/ ), the company behind the private lunar exploration program "HAKUTO-R," held a press conference for its corporate partners on February 22 at Roppongi Hills in Minato Ward, Tokyo.
The company participated as the Japanese team "HAKUTO" in the "Google Lunar XPRIZE," the first race for private unmanned lunar exploration held from 2007 to 2018. ispace developed a rover (lunar exploration robot) for the race. However, because it assumed other teams would develop landers and secure rocket contracts, it could not achieve lunar transportation independently. Consequently, it ended its challenge for the race in March 2018. The race itself concluded without a winner, as none of the teams achieved a launch within the deadline.
Following this, ispace announced a new lunar exploration program, "HAKUTO-R," in September 2018. The "R" in the name embodies the concept of "Reboot."
The program has two missions. The first is a demonstration mission to place Japan's first privately-led lander into lunar orbit and transmit lunar data back to Earth. This will verify technologies for acquiring lunar information and establishing transport services between Earth and the Moon. (2020)
The second is a demonstration mission aiming to land a rover on the lunar surface using the lander and conduct lunar surface operations. It will transport customer cargo to the moon and transmit lunar data back to Earth. (2021)
For both missions, a launch contract has been signed with SpaceX of the United States.
At the beginning of the press conference, President Takeshi Hakamada stated, "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, a truly memorable milestone. And today, JAXA's asteroid probe Hayabusa2 successfully landed on the asteroid Ryugu, while a lunar probe developed by an Israeli private organization was successfully launched. We are delighted to announce new partners at such an exciting time."
COO Takahiro Nakamura stated that the company's goal is "creating new industries starting with space resources" and introduced the three partners who will support this.
Taking the stage were Japan Airlines Executive Officer Takahiro Shimojo, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Managing Executive Officer Isao Noshiki, and NGK Insulators Director Takao Kojima, who each gave presentations on their respective areas of collaboration.
Japan Airlines will provide technical support for lander assembly at its Narita Engine Center, along with transportation support for the lander and rover.
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance will provide various forms of support, including designing and offering insurance products, to address new risks associated with the program and subsequent operations.
NGK Insulators will collaborate technologically in the field of all-solid-state batteries. Batteries developed by the company will be loaded as payload for the 2021 mission to conduct technological verification experiments on the lunar surface.
COO Nakamura stated, "Through the cooperation of these three companies, we are determined to ensure the success of the lunar exploration mission."
ispace is exhibiting a full-scale lander and rover at "Media Ambition Tokyo" (at the Tokyo City View observation deck in Roppongi Hills until March 3), a real showcase implementing cutting-edge technology culture in urban settings through experimental approaches.
HAKUTO-R Site:
https://ispace-inc.com/jpn/hakuto-r/
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