JAL and ispace Team Up to Innovate Lunar Transportation Solutions
Japan is making significant strides in its space exploration goals. The lunar exploration firm ispace has partnered with Japan Airlines (JAL), JAL Engineering, and JALUX to create the necessary transportation systems and infrastructure to facilitate long-term operations on the Moon.
The partnership, formalized on November 28, 2025, represents over ten years of intermittent collaboration. This agreement not only solidifies their joint efforts but also propels them toward what JAL refers to as a "cislunar economy," a framework encompassing services and technologies that link Earth with lunar activities.
A shared vision for a connected Earth–Moon economy
ispace envisions a sustainable economic framework that sees the Earth-Moon system as an integrated whole. Leveraging its extensive experience in aviation, JAL aims to enhance space transportation, with a long-term goal of regular human and cargo missions beyond Earth.
“We are excited to progress collaborative discussions with the JAL Group regarding lunar transportation and operations,” stated Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of ispace. He further noted that by fusing commercial aviation safety standards with ispace’s capabilities, they can create significant value and drive the societal implementation of a cislunar economy.
A decade of cooperation
The JAL Group’s involvement started during the Google Lunar XPrize competition when they supported Team HAKUTO, the predecessor to ispace’s HAKUTO-R program. Since 2018, JAL has continued as a corporate partner, providing crucial technical support such as welding propulsion system pipes, assembling lander hardware, and conducting non-destructive testing.
Additionally, JAL has played a vital role in transporting components for ispace’s landers during Mission 1 and Mission 2, notably delivering the TENACIOUS Rover in 2024.
The addition of JALUX to this partnership also broadens the focus toward potential public-facing space services and opportunities for selling payloads through ispace’s lunar transportation initiative.
Key milestones in the partnership
- 2015: JAL begins support for Team HAKUTO
- 2018: Launch of HAKUTO-R program
- 2019: Continuation of partnership with JAL
- 2018–2022: Support from JALEC in assembly, testing, and propulsion system development
- Mission 1: Transportation of propulsion system piping
- 2024: Air transport of Mission 2’s TENACIOUS Rover
- 2025: Incorporation of JALUX; new collaboration agreement established
Building infrastructure for the lunar environment
The new partnership paves the way for research and development geared toward supporting future lunar bases and high-frequency travel to the Moon. JAL and JALEC plan to implement proven aviation practices—like maintenance technology, traffic management, and operations oversight—into forthcoming space transportation systems.
Takao Suzuki, JAL’s executive officer and senior vice president of innovation, emphasized that this agreement builds on their decade-long support for ispace. He mentioned, “With this agreement, we will deepen our collaboration toward establishing a new economic sphere connecting Earth and the Moon.”
This partnership aims to progress in stages, focusing on business development, technological cooperation, and transportation services. By merging ispace’s lunar capabilities with the JAL Group’s aviation expertise and global networks, they envision expanded access to lunar transportation opportunities for various stakeholders.
How do you see the future of lunar transportation and its impact on our connection to the Moon?
