TOKYO – October 9, 2024 –ispace, inc. (ispace) (TOKYO: 9348), a global lunar exploration company, and Asteroid Mining Corporation (AMC), a London-based space robotics company, have reached an agreement for a space robotics demonstration on a future ispace mission to the lunar surface, the two companies announced today.

The memorandum of understanding signed by both companies provides a framework for collaboration that envisions a future mission in which an ispace lunar lander will deliver an AMC’s space robot, the Space Capable Asteroid Robotic – Explorer or SCAR-E, to the lunar surface as a technology demonstration for future asteroid mining efforts. In space SCAR-E can be used for resource exploration on asteroids and the Moon, capable of tackling terrain such as craters that is currently inaccessible to conventional wheeled rovers.

ispace, launching the RESILIENCE lunar lander—its second transportation mission to the Moon—no earlier than December 2024, is simultaneously designing two subsequent series of lunar landers in its business entities in the United States and Japan. Once a mission plan is agreed upon and funding secured, the SCAR-E robot will be manifested on a future mission.  

©Asteroid Mining Corporation

“This agreement is another example of ispace enabling innovators to test their technology on the moon’s surface. As part of our business model, ispace supports pioneering projects by providing lunar transportation services to realize technology demonstrations in short timeframes,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace.

“This historic opportunity represents the first moon mission conducted by a UK based company. Asteroid Mining Corporation stands ready to support any Artemis Accord signatory nation that has the desire to conduct Lunar operations.

“Alongside our partners at ispace, we can provide an end-to-end mission architecture that will enable more countries and organizations to engage in the emerging lunar market.

“We look forward to a productive relationship with ispace as we work together to unlock the economic potential of Cis-Lunar Space, for the benefit of all Mankind,” said Mitch Hunter-Scullion, CEO and Founder of Asteroid Mining Corporation.

SCAR-E features a space-capable design, meant to withstand exposure to radiation, high accelerations experienced during space launch, and extreme temperatures found in space. Gripping the surface as it walks, SCAR-E’s design allows targeted sampling and operations in microgravity environments.

ispace is leveraging its global presence through its three business units in Japan, the U.S., and Luxembourg, for the simultaneous development of upcoming missions. Mission 2 is led by the ispace Japan entity and is scheduled to launch no earlier than December 2024. Mission 3, debuting the APEX 1.0 lunar lander, is led by the ispace U.S. entity and is expected to launch in 2026. Mission 6, which will utilize the Series 3 lander, currently being designed in Japan, is scheduled to be launched by 2027.

To meet a growing demand from government, commercial, and educational organizations from around the globe, ispace is negotiating with customers to provide payload service contracts and data services for ispace’s Mission 3 and beyond.

About Asteroid Mining Corporation

Asteroid Mining Corporation Ltd is a space robotics company founded in 2016. AMC has a partnership with Tohoku University, Space Robotics Lab in order to develop the Space Cargo and Reconnaissance Explorer (SCAR-E). SCAR-E is a hexapod climbing robot intended for use in the “exploration” stage of the space resources value chain while boasting a wide range of Earth-based applications including in the maritime and renewable energy sectors. AMC is headquartered in London, with a US subsidiary and a research division based in Japan. For more information, visit www.asteroidminingcorporation.co.uk and follow us on X: @spaceminingcorp, Facebook @AMCLtdUK or Instagram: @asteroidminingcorporation

About ispace

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 business entities in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States with approximately 300 employees worldwide. For more information, visit: www.ispace-inc.com and follow us on X: @ispace_inc.