ispace Completes Transport of Lunar Rover to Japan for HAKUTO-R Mission 2

ispace, a space startup engaged in lunar resource development, held a joint press conference with Japan Airlines at Haneda Airport's JAL Sky Museum on September 4. The event announced the successful transport of the micro rover (small lunar exploration vehicle) for Mission 2 of the private lunar exploration program "HAKUTO-R" from its development base in Luxembourg to Japan.

At the outset, Takeshi Hakamada, ispace CEO & Founder, touched on ispace's vision, stating, "We aim to expand humanity's habitat into space and pursue a sustainable future." He then explained the progress of Mission 2, which aims for lunar landing and exploration.

Mr. Hakamada explaining the progress of the HAKUTO-R Mission 2

The micro-rover challenging lunar exploration this time is named "TENACIOUS" (meaning "persistent"). Its design and development were handled by Luxembourg-based ispace EUROPE. After completion, it was airfreighted with the cooperation of Japan Airlines and arrived at Haneda Airport on August 4.

The "RESILIENCE" lander (lunar lander) housing the micro rover is currently undergoing the final stage of environmental testing at the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center (Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture).

Mr. Hiroki Harukawa, Director and General Manager of Business Promotion at JAL Engineering, provided an overview of the technical collaboration with HAKUTO-R. Mr. Harukawa stated, "When considering how to apply Japan Airlines' aircraft maintenance experience and expertise to HAKUTO-R, we thought of engine maintenance." He added, "We applied the delicate and precise skills honed through maintaining aircraft engines operating in harsh environments, along with our corporate DNA of high safety and security awareness, to the propulsion system piping welding for HAKUTO-R."

The subsequent panel discussion featured Mr. Hakamada, Mr. Takao Suzuki, Head of the Innovation Division at Japan Airlines, and Mr. Koichi Wakata, Astronaut and Asia-Pacific CTO at Axiom Space. They exchanged views on the theme "Private Sector Challenges in Space Development."

Regarding the role of private companies in future space ventures, Mr. Hakamada stated, "Taking risks one step ahead to expand our business domains is the role of us startups." He added, "We want to build a large economic sphere between Earth and the Moon and create an ecosystem where more players can grow steadily as businesses."

In response, Suzuki highlighted two key roles for private companies entering the growing space business: "providing know-how" and "investing management resources," declaring, "Supporting startups is our mission as private companies."

Wakata stated, "Sustainable development comes from private-sector initiatives merging with government activities," adding, "Technologies perceived as far removed from space can actually be directly applied there. Collaboration with companies possessing non-space technologies is crucial for breakthroughs."

Panel discussion. From right: Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Wakata, Mr. Hakamada

Moving forward, the "TENACIOUS" rover will be transported to the United States alongside the "RESILIENCE" lander. The earliest launch is scheduled for December this year (※) from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

※As of September 2024

ispace Official Website: https://ispace-inc.com/jpn/

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