Moon Exploration Company ispace Remains Optimistic Amid Uncertainties
Tokyo-based ispace, a moon exploration company, expresses confidence in the continued partnership between the United States and Japan for joint lunar missions. This assurance comes despite uncertainties surrounding U.S. space policies under the Trump 2.0 administration.
ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada's optimistic outlook follows a meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, which reaffirmed a strong partnership for future exploration of the moon's surface under NASA's Artemis program.
While the precise space priorities of the second Trump term remain unclear, the indication of continuity in international collaboration is seen as a positive sign for Artemis partners. The program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon by 2028, also includes Europe, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates.
"We anticipate the CLPS program to remain on track," stated Hakamada, referring to NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative that supports private moonshot projects.
ispace's Resilience lander, launched in February 2023, is expected to reach the moon in May. The company's third mission, scheduled for 2026, will involve sending a lander carrying scientific instruments to the far side of the moon as part of CLPS.
ispace is part of a growing number of NASA-backed American companies participating in a commercial moon race. Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost and Intuitive Machines are among those sending unmanned landers to the moon this year.
Despite reporting a net loss of 10.8 billion yen for the financial year ending in March, ispace projects profitability within a few years. The company's shares have fluctuated since their debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in April 2023, closing at 650 yen on Wednesday.