7 Mar, 2025
TOKYO –March 7, 2025 – ispace, inc. (ispace)(TOKYO: 9348), a global lunar exploration company, and SpaceData Inc., a company specializing in big data applications for space development, today announced a strategic collaboration to facilitate the creation of lunar digital twins to simulate the physical surface of the Moon. The collaboration aims to create new business opportunities using data to reduce costs and risks associated with lunar exploration and future lunar activities.
Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace and Katsuaki Sato, CEO & Founder of SpaceData, sign a memorandum of understanding in Tokyo, Japan.
The collaboration is aimed at developing a high-precision topographical model of the Moon based on lunar data acquired by ispace’s exploration mission. The two companies plan to develop a system that can perform physical simulations specific to the lunar surface, including replicating communication delays and low-gravity environments to verify operation of space robots and probes. The agreement also intends to gauge customer demand through joint meetings with potential customers related to acquisition of lunar data.
“Since 2021, ispace has been working towards the expansion of lunar payload transportation by realizing the fusion of reality and data, based on the Cislunar Digital Twin 2030 concept,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace. “We welcome SpaceData’s recognition of the value of actual data obtained from our lunar mission and their validation of it for future use. We hope it will make the potential for data apparent, leading to an expansion in the demand for real mission data, and an increase in the number of players conducting activities on the lunar surface, contributing to the further development of the cislunar economy.”
“SpaceData’s mission is to ‘democratize space’ through the use of digital technology, and we aim to make space a more accessible and familiar place. Through this collaboration, we will contribute to reducing the cost and improving the safety of lunar exploration by utilizing the valuable lunar data acquired by ispace and developing digital twin technology,” said Katsuaki Sato, CEO and Founder of SpaceData. “In addition, we will adopt an open architecture and promote the standardization of technology, and while collaborating with companies and research institutions around the world. We will build the foundation for expanding new habitats into space for humanity. We hope that this collaboration will be the first step towards the formation of a sustainable lunar economy.”
The digital twin is expected to improve the accuracy of planning and promote collaboration with space agencies and private companies around the world, as well as promote its use as a pre-verification environment for demonstration tests on the lunar surface. Ultimately, ispace and SpaceData plan to promote the commercial use of lunar data and aim to build a digital twin platform that supports further expansion of lunar exploration.
Currently, ispace is actively operating the SMBC x HAKUTO-R Venture Moon Mission 2 and has achieved 5 of the 10 mission milestones. Most recently, the RESILIENCE lunar lander successfully completed a flyby of the Moon on Feb. 15, 2025, reaching its closest point to the lunar surface at 22:43 UTC, Feb. 14, 2025. It has navigated to a point 1.1 million km from Earth. RESILIENCE is currently scheduled to land on the Moon on June 6, 2025 (JST).
Future Missions
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 led by ispace Japan, launched on Jan. 15, 2025, completed a lunar flyby on Feb. 15, 2025, and is currently traveling to the Moon. During the mission, the TENACIOUS micro rover will be deployed on the lunar surface to conduct a 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. The company’s fourth mission, which will utilize the Series 3 lander, currently being designed in Japan, is scheduled to be launched by 2027.
About SpaceData Inc. (https://spacedata.jp)
SpaceData aims to “democratize space,” making it an accessible infrastructure for all. The company focuses on developing digital twin technology that replicates Earth and space environments, as well as operating systems for space robots and space stations. By integrating “space” and “digital” technologies, SpaceData seeks to drive innovation in the space industry and contribute to the realization of a sustainable space society.
About ispace
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.
For more information, visit: www.ispace-inc.com and follow us on X: @ispace_inc.