Mining Magazine March 2017 | Page 21

MINING ON THE MOON AND BACK the ground . However , the future prospecting missions must become autonomous as we plan to adopt a swarm exploration using a group of micro-rovers . We may possibly collaborate with astronauts on the ISS to control rovers on the Moon .
How did you develop the prospecting on the moon mission ? Was there a key driving moment that turned your attention to resource exploration on the moon ? There is scientific evidence about the abundance of water ice on the Moon .
1 . Abundance It is estimated that 6 billion tons of water is available on the Moon , mostly at the lunar poles .
Are there any key partnerships that have helped bring the company forward and ready to begin in its ambitions to head into space ?
Google Lunar XPRIZE The Google Lunar XPRIZE ( GLXP ) is the largest prize competition of all time with a reward of $ 30 million . The GLXP aims to incentivise entrepreneurs to create a new era of affordable access to the Moon and beyond , while inspiring the next generation of scientists , engineers , and explorers . ispace is managing Team Hakuto , the only team from Japan . Team Hakuto won the $ 500,000 Milestone Prize in 2015 ranking it amongst the top 5 of 16 teams .
2 . Quality Data analysis of lunar water suggests that the ice is relatively pure .
3 . Accessibility Data analysis from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter shows that 22 % of the Shackleton crater , a crater in the south pole , is covered by water ice .
Space Robotics Laboratory at Tohoku University ispace is partnered with the Space Robotics Laboratory ( SRL ) at Tohoku University in Japan . This research laboratory , headed by Professor Yoshida , has been active for nearly twenty years , producing technology for real space missions . It is a leader in collaborative development in
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