1 Feb, 2024
TOKYO – February 1, 2024 – ispace, inc. (ispace) announced today that it has signed two memorandums of understanding related to payload services and strategic cooperation with mu Space and Advance Technology Co., Ltd., (mu Space) a satellite manufacturer and satellite communication service provider. The collaboration marks the first step towards future lunar missions between the two companies.
According to the agreements, the two companies have entered negotiations for future payload services to lunar orbit and lunar surface and agreed to collaborate on the development the cislunar satellite market by working in coordination to provide transportation and deployment for lunar satellite payload customers while supplying the satellite components. As part of the agreement, ispace and mu Space will conduct joint market development in Japan and Thailand to accelerate the number of lunar orbiting satellite missions including small satellite payloads and lunar lander payloads with the mass of up to 100 kg.
ispace, headquartered in Tokyo, became the first lunar transportation service provider in the world to successfully launch a lunar lander in December 2022, and has missions currently scheduled for 2024, 2026, and 2027. mu Space, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, is a leading aerospace manufacturer and satellite internet service provider in Southeast Asia with 4 successful sub-orbital missions from 2018 through 2020. mu Space currently plans to supply satellites and equipment to missions scheduled from 2024 onward.
“Utilizing highly maneuverable lunar satellites for communications networks, scientific research and a host of other applications is essential to a long-term human presence on the Moon,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace. “I am pleased to announce the agreements with mu Space that will forge new markets in Southeast Asia and around the globe for lunar satellite missions as the building blocks of the cislunar economy. It is another step in realizing ispace’s vision of ‘Expand our planet. Expand our future.’”
“I am delighted to share the news of mu Space’s partnership with ispace. This marks our first lunar mission, demonstrating our vision and commitment to achieving a lunar presence by 2028,” said James Yenbamroong, mu Space CEO and CTO. “In collaboration with ispace, we are set to prove key technologies and build the foundation for future lunar endeavours. This partnership is also a testament to elevating space technology in Asia.”
To meet a growing demand from government, commercial, and educational organizations, ispace is leveraging its global presence through its three business units in Japan, the U.S., and Luxembourg, for the simultaneous development of lunar missions. Mission 2, currently planned to be launched in 2024, is led by its Japanese office and will use the optimized RESILIENCE lander to transport commercial payloads to the lunar surface including a micro rover designed by its Luxembourg office. Mission 3, currently planned to be launched in 2026, is led by its U.S. office and will utilize the APEX 1.0 lander. ispace is currently negotiating with customers around the globe for payload service contracts and data services for ispace’s Mission 3 and beyond.
About ispace, inc. (https://ispace-inc.com)
ispace, a global lunar resource development company with the vision, “Expand our planet. Expand our future.”, specializes in designing and building lunar landers and rovers. ispace aims to extend the sphere of human life into space and create a sustainable world by providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon. The company has offices in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States with more than 250 employees worldwide. For more information, visit: www.ispace-inc.com and follow us on X: @ispace_inc.
About mu Space (https://muspacecorp.com)
mu Space is an aerospace manufacturer and satellite internet service provider in Southeast Asia. Founded in 2017 by James Yenbamroong, the company’s mission is to solve the ever-diminishing natural resources problem on Earth, by searching for alternative resources in space. mu Space manufactures satellite platforms focused on small satellites, which we develop and manufacture with cutting-edge technology. We provide end-to-end services, including full service of high-performance satellites and reliable access to satellite internet. mu Space is a fully vertically integrated aerospace company with advanced factories to deliver products and services while reducing the additional costs of an extensive supply chain. For more information, visit: www.muspacecorp.com and follow us on Facebook: mu Space Corp.