Ritsumeikan University will spearhead the research, developing systems to acquire high-precision topographic data and analyze lunar regolith properties. The intent is to design frameworks for civil engineering, including land leveling, road construction, and ground improvement, based on environmental assessment of the lunar surface. The project builds on prior efforts in planetary surface simulation at Ritsumeikan's Earth and Space Exploration Center (ESEC), where dust testing chambers and regolith analyzers support analog site development and technology advancement.

ispace, as a key industry partner, will utilize technical experience from its Hakuto-R lunar missions to contribute to ground validation and operational analysis. The company's expertise with lunar landers and rovers will be integral to developing site preparation strategies and advancing resource development methods. Recent ispace missions have demonstrated capabilities in lunar orbit insertion, surface mapping, and regolith characterization.

"Our company's goal is to develop the cislunar economy, and the project focused on establishing surveying and lunar surface investigation technologies to realize lunar base construction holds significant importance. We are pleased to contribute to this project by leveraging the experience and insights gained through our missions to date," said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace.

The Space Strategy Fund aims to reinforce Japan's international presence in lunar exploration and extend human activity beyond Earth. The Ritsumeikan-led project will run through March 2032, with ongoing collaboration across universities, industry, and government research facilities.

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