16 Oct, 2024
MILAN – October 16, 2024 –ispace, inc. (ispace) (TOKYO: 9348), a global lunar exploration company, received the International Astronautical Federation’s (IAF) Excellence in Industry Award to recognize the company’s achievement during Mission 1.
The Excellence in Industry Award for small/medium sized company was presented to ispace’s Founder & CEO Takeshi Hakamada at the IAF’s International Astronautical Conference 2024, held in Milan, Italy.
Image from L to R: Geraldine Naja, IAF, Tory Bruno, CEO of ULA & award recipient, Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace & award recipient, Carlo Mirra, IAF.
The award citation states:
“ispace, a young and global enterprise, exemplified international collaboration spanning three continents. The mission was powered by a diverse group of people, showcasing the synergy that arises from blending the perspectives and capabilities of over 30 nationalities. The M1 team collaborated around the clock, from Tokyo, Luxembourg and Denver. In preparation for a launch in 2022, they worked on critical project phases amidst the challenges posed by a global pandemic. Their unwavering commitment to the motto “Never quit the lunar quest” reflected their resilience and their determination.”
Image: Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, gives remarks at IAF awards ceremony luncheon in Milan, Italy.
“All of us at ispace are honored and humbled to have been recognized by the IAF and our peers for the achievements during Mission 1,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace. “Mission 1 was a fully, privately funded mission, and is not only my achievement but an achievement of my team. It is a very diverse, international team, which represents the openness to the space. I believe the commercial, private sector is opening a new industry and offering new opportunities to others. Lunar landing is just beginning!“
The award serves as a recognition for the pioneering nature of Mission 1 as the first privately funded, commercial company to launch a lunar lander in December 2022. Although it did not lead to the final landing on the moon, it achieved 8 of the 10 Mission 1 success milestones and succeeded in stable lander operations from the lunar orbit until just before landing on the moon. The company is determined to exceed its achievement through the creation of high-frequency, low-cost transportation to the Moon’s orbit and surface. It’s second mission transporting customer payloads to the lunar surface is expected to launch no earlier than December 2024, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla.
“It is an honor for us to receive this award that recognizes the dedicated individuals who have contributed to our maiden mission, M1. Being recognized by a community of our peers is a testament to the hard work and passion that drives us forward,” said Janelle Wellons, ispace Spaceflight Operations Engineer and Mission 1 crew member. “The success of M1 is the result of years of dedication and effort. The mission took us 1.4 million kilometers from Earth, into lunar orbit, where we captured an award-winning image of a solar eclipse and executed a landing sequence that has yielded invaluable data and experience for our team. This knowledge is now paving the way for M2, which we believe will achieve even more milestones.”
Mission 2, ispace’s second lunar exploration mission, is expected to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla., no earlier than December 2024. The RESILIENCE lunar lander will deliver commercial and scientific equipment to the lunar surface and is expected to contribute to the NASA-led Artemis program. In addition to its commercial payloads, the mission will include the TENACIOUS micro rover that will deploy from the lander and conduct surface exploration including the collection of lunar regolith.
ispace is leveraging its global presence through its three business units in Japan, the U.S., and Luxembourg, for the simultaneous development of Mission 2 and Mission 3. Mission 2 is planned for 2024, led by the ispace Japan entity, and Mission 3 in 2026, led by the ispace U.S. entity. Mission 6, which will utilize the Series 3 lander, being designed in Japan, is scheduled to be launched by 2027.
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.