The partnership will focus on developing and operating advanced lunar technologies, including rover systems, while exploring Saudi payload missions to the Moon and strengthening national space capabilities.
From left to right: Vice President for Economies of the Future Sector, KACST Dr. Maryam Noah, Former Minister of Investment, Saudi Arabia H.E. Khalid AlFalih, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryomasa Akazawa, ispace Inc. Director, CFO & Business Executive Junpei Nozaki
Ispace, Inc. has entered into a strategic partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) to strengthen cooperation in lunar exploration technologies and support the development of national space capabilities in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The agreement was signed during the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Forum under the “Invest in Saudi Arabia” initiative. The partnership will focus on the design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of advanced lunar exploration technologies, including rover systems. It will also explore the potential transport of Saudi scientific payloads to the Moon while launching initiatives aimed at developing local expertise and technical capabilities in lunar exploration.
The collaboration marks another step in Saudi Arabia’s growing involvement in space science and technology, while supporting research, development, innovation, and commercial opportunities in the Kingdom’s space sector at both regional and international levels.
KACST, Vice President, Future Economies Sector, Dr. Maryam Noah, said: “This strategic partnership reflects KACST’s commitment to strengthening the Kingdom’s leadership in the fields of space and next-generation lunar exploration.” She added: “Through our collaboration with ispace, we aim to develop advanced technologies and build national knowledge, skills, and capabilities that will contribute to shaping the future of Saudi Arabia in the space sector. This partnership also supports our mission to transform ambitious ideas into concrete results and contribute to the global space ecosystem in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”
ispace CEO ＆ Founder, Mr. Takeshi Hakamada, added: “We are honored to partner with KACST to advance Saudi Arabian lunar technology, missions and capability. By combining KACST’s leadership and expertise in space science, space technology development and operations, with ispace’s lunar technology and mission experience, we see great potential in what can be achieved in the Kingdom. The focus across lunar rover systems, lunar science payload transportation and operation on the Moon is just a start. I believe this partnership between ispace and KACST can contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s growing space programme while supporting the development of both the Saudi space sector and the global.”