Epiroc technology heads to the Moon

image of the Moon's surface
Epiroc technology will head to the Moon thanks to a partnership with ispace

While Epiroc machines are often used to explore below the Earth’s surface, a new partnership has the company looking upwards to the Moon.

The mining and infrastructure equipment company has signed a long-term collaboration agreement with ispace, a private lunar robotic exploration company. The partnership will involve Epiroc contributing technology and solutions for commercial Moon missions.

“Epiroc is very excited to collaborate with ispace to develop and provide technology and solutions together to begin exploring the moon’s surface with the ultimate goal of supporting and expanding human life in a sustainable way,” said Epiroc’s President and CEO Helena Hedblom.

“We look forward to our continued collaboration to make the mission successful.”

The long-term vision of ispace is to support humanity by providing lunar transportation and gaining a better understanding of the Moon’s environment and available resources.

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By taking advantage of lunar water resources, ispace plans to develop the space infrastructure needed to enrich life on earth, as well as expand our living sphere into space. Also, by making the Earth and Moon one system, a new economy with space infrastructure at its core will support human life, making sustainability a reality.

The company’s search for water on the Moon is the first step to achieving that goal.

Initially, ispace will explore the lunar surface and collect relevant data of the Moon. As part of that effort, ispace and Epiroc are partnering to develop technology and commercial solutions to be used as early as 2024.

“I am very pleased to sign this agreement with Epiroc,” said ispace founder and CEO Takeshi Hakamada.

“ispace is pioneering the Cislunar ecosystem to open new opportunities for governments and industry players. Our collaboration to develop technology and solutions in the field of space resources in a sustainable and responsible manner for future lunar missions is another step to realizing ispace’s vision.”

In March, ispace announced it has completed its seventh phase of its first mission, and its HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander is now safely orbiting the Moon.

More information detailing Epiroc’s involvement in ispace’s lunar missions will follow over time.

Watch the ispace 2040 vision here: