ispace, a lunar exploration company, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have announced that the two companies have signed a contract for launch and transportation services for ispace’s Mission 3 ULTRA Lunar Lander using MHI’s H3 rocket, currently scheduled for 2028.
Through the agreement, ispace has secured Japan’s launch capability provided by MHI and has strengthened its framework to ensure the execution of the ULTRA mission. The launch and lunar mission have represented the first time a Japanese-made lunar lander and a Japanese-made rocket would work in tandem, supporting Japan’s lunar exploration activities.
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During its two previous lunar missions, ispace has demonstrated the ability to reach lunar orbit while conducting months-long transport missions. Leveraging that mission operations experience and technical expertise, ispace has been developing a new lander, ULTRA, with funding from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. ispace’s ULTRA, designed for lunar transportation missions, would be used to establish a high-frequency, low-cost transportation service to the lunar surface.
MHI has been a developer of Japan’s space industry for decades. Currently, the company is developing and manufacturing the H3 rocket, a next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle that would replace the H-IIA and H-IIB rockets. Moving forward, the company has continued to support a wide range of space missions both in Japan and abroad by providing launch services using the H3 rocket and has remained committed to the development of the space industry.
Securing reliable launch services has been an essential element for the stable growth of Japan’s space industry. Combining MHI’s launch technology with ispace’s track record in lander development and operations has enabled a launch-to-landing lunar transport system via collaboration between the two Japanese commercial companies.
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In addition, the two companies had agreed to explore ways to strengthen their cooperation not only in transportation services but also in the future construction of lunar infrastructure and related technologies. Together they have continued to promote the formation of a lunar transportation system that unites Japan’s domestic industries, thereby contributing to the expansion of Japan’s space industry infrastructure and the creation of the cislunar economy.
Statement of Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, inc.: “I am very pleased to sign this launch services contract to launch ULTRA using the H3 rocket. The fact that a lander developed by ispace will be carried aboard the H3 rocket, carrying forward the legacy of Japan’s domestically produced rockets with their proven operational track record, as it heads for the Moon, symbolizes new possibilities for a Japanese private company to take the lead in advancing lunar development. The success of Mission 3 is a crucial milestone in ispace’s early commercialization phase, and I am confident that utilizing the H3 rocket will enable us to establish a reliable lunar transportation system,”.
Iwao Igarashi, Vice President & Senior General Manager, Space Systems Division, Integrated Defense & Space Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.: “It is a great honor for us to provide launch services for ispace’s Mission 3 ULTRA, using the H3 rocket. By leveraging the rocket technology and operational track record that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has cultivated, we will contribute to the mission’s success by safely and reliably delivering the lander into space. With an eye toward new collaborations in private-sector-led lunar development, we look forward to working with ispace to pioneer new possibilities for Japan’s space industry”.
