Japanese lunar exploration start-up ispace, currently working with SpaceX, has announced new partnerships with Japan Airlines (JAL), manufacturer NGK Spark Plugs and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance to send a rover into the orbit of the Moon 2021, and land a lunar probe on its surface in next year. The moves come after the Hayabusa2, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s space probe, successfully landed on, and collected debris from, the asteroid Ryugu. Mitsui Sumitomo will provide insurance to the venture, while JAL will assemble, test and transport landers, and NGK will develop batteries as lunar energy sources.
Japanese lunar exploration start-up ispace, currently working with SpaceX, has announced new partnerships with Japan Airlines (JAL), manufacturer NGK Spark Plugs and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance to send a rover into the orbit of the Moon next year, and land a lunar probe on its surface in 2021. The moves come after the Hayabusa2, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s space probe, successfully landed on, and collected debris from, the asteroid Ryugu. Mitsui Sumitomo will provide insurance to the venture, while JAL will assemble, test and transport landers, and NGK will develop batteries as lunar energy sources.