ispace, EUROPE S.A., and ispace, inc., along with Leonardo and Telespazio, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing collaboration on lunar communications, positioning, navigation, timing (PNT) infrastructure, and lunar transportation. This agreement builds upon previous partnerships, further expanding cooperation in these critical areas.
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The MoU focuses on advancing interoperability of lunar infrastructure, with the European Space Agency’s Moonlight programme being the initial framework for implementation. This partnership seeks to leverage Leonardo's expertise in space robotics and artificial intelligence to strengthen capabilities in lunar exploration and facilitate the growth of the cislunar economy.
Under the agreement, the partners will assess integrated service offerings that could increase communication coverage on the lunar surface and in orbit, improve navigation capabilities, and enhance data capacity for future lunar missions. Additionally, it explores the potential for ispace to transport Moonlight satellites into lunar orbit using its orbital transfer vehicle.
The collaboration emphasizes the combined strengths of ispace's entities in Japan and Europe, alongside the capabilities of Leonardo and Telespazio. This confluence of skills is expected to foster deeper international cooperation on the necessary infrastructure and standards for sustaining future lunar activities.
Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace, highlighted the importance of merging capabilities in transportation, communications, and navigation to establish a sustainable cislunar economy. Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-EUROPE, described the partnership as a means to combine European expertise in telecommunications and navigation with ispace’s moon transportation experience, aiming to shape future lunar mission infrastructure.
Massimo Claudio Comparini, Managing Director of Leonardo's Space Division, noted that this agreement advances the aim of developing an integrated infrastructure to support an increasing number of missions to the Moon. He emphasized the importance of robotics, AI, and the complementary skills of the collaborating firms.
Gabriele Pieralli, CEO of Telespazio, stated that this collaboration reinforces Telespazio's role in lunar communication and navigation, enhancing the capabilities necessary for a prospective lunar economy. As lunar exploration evolves from isolated missions to a cohesive operational framework, the partners recognize the critical need for robust communications, navigation, and transportation infrastructures to enable scientific and commercial activities on the Moon.
The MoU was signed during the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Türkiye.