5 Apr, 2018
TOKYO – April 5, 2018 – ispace commends the XPRIZE foundation for their commitment to the development of the private lunar exploration industry following the organization’s announcement today about the intention to launch a new Lunar XPRIZE competition.
ispace, a lunar exploration company headquartered in Japan, was the managing company for HAKUTO, one of the five finalists in the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition. Participating in the race allowed ispace to develop its core strength, the miniaturization of space robotics, as well as to help the company establish a leading position in the private space resources industry.
“The previous Lunar XPRIZE competition showed the world how the concept of a race was the necessary component to advance the private space industry to a new level,” said Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of ispace. “It raised public interest in space and even led to activations from companies not traditionally involved in space. We believe a new race would again elevate our industry to an even higher level, so we eagerly welcome a new Lunar XPRIZE.”
ispace is hopeful that the XPRIZE will be able to secure a sponsor for the new competition which will sustain and further elevate the excitement surrounding the private space industry today.
“It would be ideal if the XPRIZE Foundation could attract a sponsor that is a recognized brand name, especially one that is not typically associated with space,” said Takahiro Nakamura, COO of ispace. “This will help build more excitement from the public and inspire further involvement from non-space companies, supporting the notion that space can be accessible to all.”
About ispace, inc. http://ispace-inc.com/
ispace is a private lunar exploration company with a vision to extend human presence beyond Earth. ispace raised nearly $95 million in Series A funding, which is the largest amount ever recorded in Japan. ispace is planning two lunar missions to orbit around and land on the Moon by 2020. ispace currently operates in Japan, Luxembourg and the USA, and signed partnerships with JAXA and the government of Luxembourg. ispace also managed HAKUTO, one of the five finalist teams in the Google Lunar XPRIZE.
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