- The Japanese space company ispace, established in 2010, seeks to “lay the groundwork for unleashing the moon’s potential and transforming it into a robust and vibrant economic system,” according to its founder.
- “We look forward to contributing to NASA’s Artemis program as a commercial lunar transportation service and pioneering the development of future industries and connecting the Earth to the Moon and beyond,” said Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of ispace.
- The United Arab Emirates will also be part of the mission.
- The moon rover aboard the lander is a 22-pound robot named Rashid, the Middle East’s first such rover to reach the moon.
