Ibadan, 5 February 2024. – ispace, inc. (ispace) has signed two memorandums of understanding related to payload services and strategic cooperation with mu Space and Advance Technology Co., Ltd., (mu Space) a satellite manufacturer and satellite communication service provider. The collaboration marks the first step towards future lunar missions between the two companies.
According to the agreements, the two companies have entered negotiations for future payload services to lunar orbit and lunar surface. Furthermore, they have agreed to collaborate on developing the cislunar satellite market by working in coordination to provide transportation and deployment for lunar satellite payload customers while supplying the satellite components.
As part of the agreement, ispace and mu Space will also conduct joint market development in Japan and Thailand to accelerate the number of lunar orbiting satellite missions including small satellite payloads and lunar lander payloads with the mass of up to 100 kg. To meet growing demand, ispace is leveraging its global presence through its three business units, for the simultaneous development of lunar missions.
Speaking on the agreements, Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace. said, “Utilizing highly maneuverable lunar satellites for communications networks, scientific research and a host of other applications is essential to a long-term human presence on the Moon.” He also added that the agreements with mu Space “will forge new markets in Southeast Asia and around the globe for lunar satellite missions as the building blocks of the cislunar economy.”
Likewise, James Yenbamroong, mu Space CEO and CTO commented, “This marks our first lunar mission, demonstrating our vision and commitment to achieving a lunar presence by 2028. In collaboration with ispace, we are ready to prove key technologies and build the foundation for future lunar endeavours. This partnership is also a testament to elevating space technology in Asia.”
