King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and ispace have signed a strategic partnership to collaborate on the development of lunar exploration technologies and examine options to transport Saudi payloads to the Moon.
The partnership was signed at the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Forum under the “Invest in Saudi Arabia” umbrella. It covers the design, manufacture, testing and operation of lunar exploration technologies, including rover systems, and initiatives aimed at building national skills and capabilities aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
In a statement, KACST Vice President, Future Economies Sector, Dr. Maryam Noah said the agreement reflects KACST’s intent to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position in space and lunar exploration and to develop national knowledge and capabilities through collaboration with ispace.
ispace CEO and founder Takeshi Hakamada said the partnership would combine KACST’s work in space science and operations with ispace’s lunar mission experience, and initially focus on lunar rover systems and the transport and operation of lunar science payloads.
The announcement did not include timelines, funding details, or specific missions for the collaboration.
