19 Dec, 2024
TOKYO – December 19, 2024–ispace, inc. (ispace) (TOKYO: 9348), a global lunar exploration company, and the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into dialogues for a potential strategic collaboration on lunar exploration.
The announcement was made at a signing ceremony at the 2024 Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry (TASTI). The agreement outlines a framework for discussions between TASA and ispace focusing on potential dialogues for collaboration. ispace has served as a sponsor of TASTI and was part of a delegation that hosted TASA during a visit to Japan leading to today’s announcement.
Photo taken at the signing ceremony held at the 2024 Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry (TASTI) on Dec. 3, 2024. From left, Tien-Chuan Kuo, Deputy Director General, TASA and Atsushi Saiki, Executive Fellow, ispace.
The Taiwan Space Agency, officially restructured in 2023, is focused on enhancing Taiwan space technology research and development capabilities, implementing the national space policies and plans, and promoting Taiwan space activities and the development of the space industry. TASA is responsible for developing and implementing national space programs and is working to foster a growing space economy.
“Signing the MoU with ispace at TASTI reflects our dedication to fostering dialogue with Japan and advancing Taiwan’s space development through meaningful exchanges,” said TASA Director General Dr. Jong-Shinn Wu.
“I am very pleased that to have this agreement in place with TASA so that we can move forward on dialogues on future collaborations and lunar exploration,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace. “We are honored to participate in TASTI and look forward to significant advances together with TASA.”
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 and TENACIOUS micro rover, is led by ispace Japan and is now scheduled for launch no earlier than mid-January 2025. 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 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.