Japan-based lunar cargo delivery company ispace has announced that it will launch a new cost-effective cargo transport business using SpaceX's Starship rocket and lunar lander.
The company has purchased a 500-kilogram payload capacity slot on the Starship that will land on the Moon by no later than 2030, for $50 million USD, and will construct a lunar surface vehicle capable of transporting cargo from around the world.
This service will operate like a public shuttle for cargo heading to the lunar surface, and will also support ispace's proprietary lunar lander taxi service.
In 2023 and 2025, ispace had attempted to land on the Moon using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets, but was unsuccessful.
Currently, the company aims to successfully land three Ultra lunar landers on the Moon by 2030.
SpaceX has welcomed the partnership with ispace, stating that such a service represents an important pathway for delivering small cargo to the Moon.
NASA is also planning to use Starship for its Artemis program, and South Korea is preparing to launch its own Nuri rocket and lunar lander in 2030.
Ref: Bangkokpost
