ispace, inc., a global lunar resource development company in Japan, is planning to launch its lunar lander soon. If they are successful in landing the lander on the moon on the expected schedule, that will be a world first achievement that a private company alone has landed its lander.
In addition, ispace has received a license from the Japanese government to conduct business activity on the moon under Japan’s Space Resources Act. Based on the license, they will collect regolith on the moon and transfer ownership of such resources to NASA.
The launch was scheduled on November 28, 2022, on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket; however, the launch attempt has been postponed. A new target launch date will be announced once it has been confirmed.
Shunsuke Fujita （藤田 俊輔）
Source:
ispace Receives License to Conduct Business Activity on the Moon from Japanese Government | ispace (ispace-inc.com)
ispace Announces Mission 1 Launch Date | ispace (ispace-inc.com)