Lunar Exploration Partnership Formed by KACST and ispace
Saudi Research Agency, Japanese Space Company to Develop Rover Systems and Lunar Payload Transportation
A strategic partnership has been formed by Japan-based lunar exploration company ispace and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia’s national laboratory and innovation park. The partnership plans to jointly develop lunar exploration technologies and build national space capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
“This strategic partnership reflects KACST’s commitment to strengthening the Kingdom’s leadership in the fields of space and next-generation lunar exploration.”
Dr. Maryam Noah, KACST
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.” Dr. Maryam Noah, KACST
The partnership, signed on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Forum under the “Invest in Saudi Arabia” umbrella, aims to design, manufacture, test, and operate advanced lunar exploration technologies, including rover systems. The agreement also outlines a study of the possibility of transporting Saudi payloads to the moon and implementing initiatives to develop national capabilities in the field of lunar exploration.
“This strategic partnership reflects KACST’s commitment to strengthening the Kingdom’s leadership in the fields of space and next-generation lunar exploration,” said Dr. Maryam Noah, KACST vice president for the Future Economies Sector. “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.”
ispace Founder and CEO Takeshi Hakamada said the partnership pairs KACST’s expertise in space science and technology development with ispace’s lunar mission experience. “We are honored to partner with KACST to advance Saudi Arabian lunar technology, missions and capability,” Hakamada said. “I believe this partnership between ispace and KACST can contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s growing space program.”
The agreement aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and expand its scientific and technological capabilities. According to the two organizations, the collaboration is intended to strengthen the growing role of Saudi Arabia in shaping the science and technologies of lunar exploration, support the research, development, and innovation ecosystem, and promote commercial activities in the space sector at both local and international levels.
The signing ceremony took place in January 2026 and was attended by KACST’s Dr. Maryam Noah, former Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid AlFalih, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryomasa Akazawa, and ispace Director, CFO and Business Executive Junpei Nozaki.