MINING ON THE MOON AND BACK accelerate the R & D process and offer frequent and low cost transportation service to the Moon .
2 ) Onsite prospecting of resources ispace ’ s current technology focuses on our innovative and light weight micro-rovers . The four-wheeled rover will be used in the Google Lunar XPRIZE and will be the key vehicle for conducting preliminary scouting missions . Our rovers will be used for the future swarm prospecting on the Moon .
The micro-rovers will have the ability to host a number of scientific instruments to gather various types of data from the lunar surface . Big data analytics throughout exploration and prospecting missions will allow high fidelity mapping of the Moon at several locations to identify lunar hazards , precious volatiles , valuable minerals and suitable shelters .
3 ) Onsite resource extraction and processing From around 2024 , ispace will set up an ISRU facility and begin testing lunar ice mining procedures at a small scale that can eventually be sold to customers on the Moon . The long-term objective is to sell water extracted from the lunar surface as a fuel to customers in cis-lunar space and on the lunar surface .
What is the dream outcome for the mission ? To revolutionise the space transportation system
The mission , phase has a 2018- 2023 timeline , how is everything proceeding thus far ? Still on time to deliver ? We have begun our spacecraft / lander development , which is set for operation from 2020 . After 2021 , we plan to land on the Moon on a monthly basis .
Where do you want to see ispace and space mining in the next 10- 15 years ? In 15 years , I would want to see a world where companies , organisations and agencies are buying and selling space resources . This might sound very optimistic , but I believe that startups like ispace can significantly shorten the timeline and realise this vision .
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