ispace operates team HAKUTO, which is the only member from Japan to participate in Google Lunar XPRIZE. au × HAKUTO MOON CHALLENGE project gather talent with diverse backgrounds: venture, university, and pro bono help to develop the lunar exploration rover robots. We're aiming to be the world's first private exploration company by utilizing all our resources to take the Google Lunar XPRIZE.
The first mission will be the first privately-led Japanese test mission to inject the lander into a lunar orbit and relay lunar data to the Earth. It’s a critical mission to test data-gathering technology and Earth–Moon transport service technology.
The second mission will put Japan's first lander on the moon, deploying the rover to be driven on the lunar surface. This serves as a test mission to transport payloads to the Moon and send lunar surface data back to Earth. The objective is to test data-gathering technology and Earth–Moon transport service technology, much like the first mission.
The next seven missions will involve constructing the Earth-Moon transportation platform, centering on polar water exploration. From this point, we will increase the frequency of lunar landings and rover expeditions to transport customer payloads and send back data upon request.
Mission 10 and beyond will focus on building an industrial platform for steady lunar development. With our highly specialized landers and rovers, we can pioneer the discovery and development of lunar resources.