31 Jul, 2025
Tokyo–July 31, 2025–ispace, inc. (ispace) (TOKYO: 9348), a global lunar exploration company, announced that it has entered into an agreement with Bridgestone Corporation, which is researching development of tires for lunar rovers, to advance the practical application of the tires.
Masaki Ota, Director, OE Business Strategy & Planning/New Mobility Business Division, Bridgestone Corporation (left), and Takeshi Hakamada, CEO & Founder, ispace, Inc. (right) at a signing ceremony confirming the agreement.
Based on this agreement, ispace will collaborate with Bridgestone to enhance the performance of its small and medium-sized lunar rovers by equipping them with Bridgestone’s tires. ispace is currently developing prototypes of the rovers, featuring lunar surface exploration capabilities including high-resolution video and data-capture functions, as well as a design that prioritizes functionality, despite their compact size, for use in lunar water resource utilization.
As part of the agreement, ispace will install Bridgestone’s soft, elastic lunar rover tires on its prototypes and conduct ground-based evaluation and verification tests to assess the feasibility and business potential of future lunar surface technical demonstrations. Through these initiatives, both companies will assess the feasibility of the technologies and business opportunities on the lunar surface and aim for the practical application of these tires as early as 2029.
ispace and Bridgestone will further pursue collaboration through this initiative with the aim to contribute to the advancement of Japan’s space industry, considering potential utilization of the Space Strategy Fund established by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Image of concept model of a tire developed by Bridgestone for lunar rovers.
Statement of Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, inc.
“ispace’s goal of establishing a new economy on the Moon requires the participation of players from a wide range of industries. This agreement to test and verify technology for future lunar missions is proof of this,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, inc. “Bridgestone, which has driven the evolution of mobility worldwide through its technological expertise, is now developing lunar rover tires for the extreme environments found on the Moon. These tires will undoubtedly contribute to future human advancement there. The micro rovers being developed by ispace are some of the world’s smallest lunar rovers. They will be indispensable technology for the Moon, and a new frontier for humanity. We look forward to this collaborative effort with Bridgestone.”
Statement of Masaki Ota, Director, OE Business Strategy & Planning/New Mobility Business Division, Bridgestone Corporation
“Bridgestone began research and development of tires for lunar rovers in 2019. In April 2025, we unveiled concept models featuring reduced weight for small and medium-sized lunar rovers, and we are working to further expand our network in the space business and create new opportunities for co-creation. We are very honored to start collaborating with ispace, who shares our vision for these initiatives,” said Masaki Ota, Director, OE Business Strategy & Planning/New Mobility Business Division, Bridgestone Corporation.
Bridgestone’s lunar rover tire has a structure of thin metal spokes, enabling flexible deformation while maintaining durability. This design delivers superior ability to traverse and shock absorption, allowing the rover to traverse the lunar surface and overcome obstacles such as lunar rocks.
With these technical features, our tires support ispace’s rover from the ground up in the harsh lunar environment, as we take on various missions together. Through collaboration with ispace, a space startup originating in Japan, we aim to establish the superiority of our lunar rover tire technology and contribute to the advancement of lunar development in Japan.”
About Bridgestone Corporation (https://www.bridgestone.co.jp/)
Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.
For an overview of Bridgestone’s tire technology for lunar rovers, please refer to the following website:
Bridgestone’s Lunar Rover Tire Supporting the movement of lunar mobility with safety and peace of mind, enabling humankind to pursue the moon | Bridgestone
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.