13 Feb, 2025
DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA – February 13th, 2025. ispace, inc. (ispace), a global lunar exploration company, and the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) have signed a memorandum of understanding to investigate collaborations on lunar exploration & spacecraft development opportunities and capability development.
Photo taken at signing ceremony held at KFUPM campus in Dhahran. From left, Atsushi Saiki, Executive Fellow, ispace and Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, Vice President for Research & Innovation of KFUPM
The announcement was made during a visit of an ispace delegation to the KFUPM campus in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The agreement outlines a framework for discussions between KFUPM and ispace focusing on potential areas for collaboration, which encompass the development of lunar exploration technologies, the creation of lunar science and research, including in-situ resources utilization (ISRU) activities, and potential transportation of KFUPM payloads to the Moon.
“ispace is extremely pleased to formalize an agreement with KFUPM to investigate how we can work together to advance the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)’s lunar exploration ambitions. We are excited to work with KFUPM’s IRC for Aviation and Space Exploration to identify projects, education, and development opportunities where ispace’s expertise in lunar missions and technology can complement and advance the IRC’s leading aerospace development and research capabilities. We look forward to going to the Moon with KFUPM.” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace.
“This MoU marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in aerospace innovation. Our partnership with ispace reflects our shared commitment to exploring the frontiers of space and advancing cutting-edge research. By combining KFUPM’s research excellence with ispace’s pioneering spirit in lunar exploration, we are poised to unlock transformative opportunities that will inspire future generations and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role in shaping the future of space exploration” said Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, Vice President for Research & Innovation of KFUPM.
In addition, ispace and KFUPM will explore opportunities for capacity building for KFUPM students and faculty members, drawing on ispace’s expertise and experience in lunar exploration. KFUPM’s Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) – Aviation and Space Exploration will lead and coordinate the development of collaborations in lunar exploration between ispace and the University.
About KFUPM (https://kfupm.edu.sa)
KFUPM is the #1 ranked educational institution in Arab region with the motto “Dream Big & Accomplish”. It was established in Saudi Arabia in 1963, has around 10,000 students and 800+ academic staff, and offers high quality undergraduate, postgraduate degree programs. KFUPM has also recently transformed its research ecosystem, which consists of 15 Interdisciplinary Research Centers (IRC’s), 4 Applied Research Centers (ARC’s) and 3 Joint Research Centers (JRC’s), along with business incubators and tech accelerators for expedited commercialization. KFUPM’s focus is on research-to-market strategy (ranked 4th worldwide in universities with granted US Patents) with the goal of creating impact on local community and humanity as a whole. KFUPM is home to the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Aviation & Space Exploration (IRC-ASE), which supports the mission of “New Space Leadership” i.e. positioning KFUPM and KSA on the global space arena by developing key space technologies, and building capacity in the areas of nanosatellite tech, space data analytics, deep space tech (like rovers), and space materials development. IRC-ASE’s first in-house developed nanosatellite is due to be launched in 2027 with the mission of Earth Observation and Tech Demonstration. For more info, visit: https://ri.kfupm.edu.sa/irc-ase and follow us on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviation-and-space-exploration-research-center-kfupm-irc-ase-29448b264/
About ispace, inc. (https://ispace-inc.com)
ispace, a global lunar exploration 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. 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, currently planned to be launched in January 2025, led by its Japanese entity, as well as Mission 3, currently planned to be launched in 2026 and led by its U.S. entity, and the company’s fourth mission, which will utilize the Series 3 lander and is scheduled to be launched by 2027. For more information, visit: www.ispace- inc.com and follow us on X: @ispace_inc.