IAF Excellence in Industry Award 2024 for SMEs

ispace is a lunar exploration company with a vision to extend human presence into outer space. The ispace Mission 1 (M1) team stands as a pioneer in space exploration with the successful launch and voyage of the first commercial mission to the Moon.

In December 2022 ispace launched HAKUTO-R Mission 1, which embarked on its journey with aspirations of a Moon landing in April 2023. Despite a hard landing, the spacecraft operated nominally for 135 days in space, achieving 8 out of its 10 mission milestones. This feat was the first contribution to a global effort towards the commercialization of space exploration. Furthermore, Mission 1 facilitated access to lunar exploration for a diverse array of entities, thereby democratizing space access for both established and emerging spacefaring nations.

ispace, a young and global enterprise, exemplified international collaboration spanning three continents. The mission was powered by a diverse group of people, showcasing the synergy that arises from blending the perspectives and capabilities of over 30 nationalities. The M1 team collaborated around the clock, from Tokyo, Luxembourg and Denver. In preparation for a launch in 2022, they worked on critical project phases amidst the challenges posed by a global pandemic. Their unwavering commitment to the motto "Never quit the lunar quest" reflected their resilience and their determination.