10 Dec, 2024

Lunar Exploration Companies Sign Agreement Establishing Framework for Transportation of Prospecting & Collection Equipment

TOKYO –December 10, 2024 – ispace, inc. (ispace) (TOKYO: 9348), a global lunar exploration company, and Magna Petra, the first lunar resources company engaged in the prospecting, extraction and return to earth of helium-3 isotopes from the lunar surface, have agreed to collaborate on future missions to the lunar surface, the two companies announced.

Under terms of the memorandum of understanding, the two companies have agreed to collaborate on the development of a lunar economy that provides terrestrial economic value via non-destructive, sustainable harvesting of lunar surface resources.

“We are delighted and honored to be collaborating with ispace on this important initiative,” said Jeffrey Max, Magna Petra’s CEO.  “These missions require a cislunar transportation and lunar infrastructure partner with proven competencies, agility and strong leadership. The ispace teams’ strong track record of innovation and performance, along with a global footprint are the perfect fit for Magna Petra’s critical mission requirements.”

“We are pleased to cooperate with Magna Petra to transport their technology to the Moon,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace. “The cislunar economy will be dependent on many important resources other than water, and it is important to work to make use of these resources. ispace will continue to support the goals of various companies and organizations necessary for the development of the new economy.”

Magna Petra’s patent pending technology promises energy efficient isotope extraction and collection with minimal impact to the lunar surface. Using advanced AI for lunar isotope modeling, NASA-developed instrumentation for yield density validation, and cutting-edge technologies for isotope isolation, Magna Petra’s upcoming reconnaissance and collection missions place the Company on a rapid timeline to validate, capture and return commercial quantities of isotopes from the lunar surface, addressing critical material supply chain shortages on earth.

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, featuring the RESILIENCE lunar lander, is led by ispace Japan and is now scheduled for launch no earlier than January 2025. In this mission, TENACIOUS micro rover developed by ispace Europe SA to be deployed on the lunar surface to conduct technological demonstration of regolith extraction as well as mobility on the lunar surface Mission 3, debuting the APEX 1.0 lunar lander, is led by ispace-U.S. 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.

 

About Magna Petra (https://magnapetra.com) 

Magna Petra (“MP”) is at the forefront of unlocking lunar resources for terrestrial benefit, with a primary focus on mining Helium-3 (“he-3”) from the lunar surface.  With a worsening and unresolved supply crisis of he-3^[1], coupled with its critical applications in national security, medical imaging, quantum computing, and nuclear fusion energy, MP intends to be a pivotal player in the global energy supply chain. Leveraging proprietary AI tools for isotope simulation and operations optimization, proprietary technology for lunar isotope extraction, established partnerships, a strategic plan for operational scalability, and an experienced leadership team, MP’s scheduled missions will affirm the Company’s position  as the leading supplier of rare lunar isotopes for critical terrestrial applications.  For more information, visit: www.magnapetra.com

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

 

^[1] Causes and Consequences of the Helium-3 Supply Crisis; Committee on Science and Technology, US House of Representatives, Washington DC.