ispace and Magna Petra collaborate on future Lunar resources exploration

ispace and Magna Petra collaborate on future Lunar resources exploration
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 17, 2024

ispace, inc. (ispace) (TOKYO: 9348), a global leader in lunar exploration, and Magna Petra, a pioneering company focused on the extraction and return of helium-3 isotopes from the Moon, have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance sustainable resource exploration on the lunar surface.

The agreement outlines plans for both companies to contribute to the growth of the lunar economy by developing technologies for non-destructive, sustainable resource utilization. This collaboration marks a key step in creating economic value on Earth through responsible lunar exploration.

"We are delighted and honored to be collaborating with ispace on this important initiative," said Jeffrey Max, Magna Petra's CEO. "These missions require a cislunar transportation and lunar infrastructure partner with proven competencies, agility, and strong leadership. The ispace teams' strong track record of innovation and performance, along with a global footprint, are the perfect fit for Magna Petra's critical mission requirements."

Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace, stated, "We are pleased to cooperate with Magna Petra to transport their technology to the Moon. The cislunar economy will be dependent on many important resources other than water, and it is important to work to make use of these resources. ispace will continue to support the goals of various companies and organizations necessary for the development of the new economy."

Magna Petra's advanced technology combines AI-driven lunar isotope modeling, NASA-developed yield density validation tools, and cutting-edge isotope isolation processes. Their energy-efficient methods minimize surface disruption while enabling the collection and return of helium-3 isotopes. These efforts aim to address terrestrial supply chain shortages by delivering commercial quantities of critical materials from the Moon.

ispace's global operations, spread across Japan, the U.S., and Luxembourg, will play a pivotal role in supporting upcoming missions. Mission 2, featuring the RESILIENCE lunar lander and the TENACIOUS micro rover developed by ispace Europe SA, is slated for launch no earlier than January 2025. The mission will focus on demonstrating technologies for regolith extraction and lunar surface mobility. Mission 3, led by ispace-U.S., will introduce the APEX 1.0 lunar lander in 2026. Meanwhile, Mission 6, utilizing the Series 3 lander, is scheduled for launch in 2027 and is being designed by ispace Japan.