Two R&D missions and development for the third mission

「To date, the Company has advanced in parallel the development of 2 model types, the APEX 1.0 lander in the United States and the Series 3 lander, provisional name, in Japan, while promoting commonality in areas such as engine procurement and software development. However, expectations among customers, principally space agencies and private companies in various countries, have recently increased further regarding mission quality and efficiency. To reliably meet these expectations, we determined that further quality improvements were necessary through integration of the 2 models. As a result, we introduced the new “ULTRA” lander (Note 1), a common platform, and integrated the lander development structures previously operated separately in Japan and the United States. We established a structure that consolidates a globally unified development organization directly under the CTO and strengthens control over the development budget and schedule by newly establishing a global project management function to maximize the organization’s effectiveness.」

「For Mission 3, which will use the APEX 1.0 lander developed by the Company’s US subsidiary, testing of each APEX 1.0 lander subsystem is progressing as scheduled toward the planned 2027 launch. For Mission 4, which is being developed in Japan, environmental testing using the thermal structural model of the “Series 3 lander,” provisional name, scheduled for launch in 2028 (Note 3), has been completed, and progress toward the scheduled PDR (preliminary design review) is proceeding smoothly.」

「Before the launch of Mission 2, the Company began parallel development, through its Japanese and US entities, of the landers to be used for Missions 3 and 4 toward achieving a continuing series of high-frequency missions.」

「Under these circumstances, the Company is steadily progressing with the final environmental testing of the RESILIENCE lander for Mission 2. Following discussions with SpaceX, the launch service provider, the launch timing was updated to as early as January 2025. Preparations for the launch are progressing smoothly, including completion of the installation of the small lunar rover developed by the Company’s European subsidiary for use on the mission. The RESILIENCE lander is scheduled to be transported to Florida, USA, the launch site, within this month.」

「The Company is allocating human and financial resources to Mission 2 planned for 2024, Mission 3 planned for 2026 using the upsized APEX 1.0 lander, and development of the Series III lander, provisional name, planned for 2027.」

「Mission 1, which has already been completed, and Mission 2, planned for winter 2024, were positioned as R&D missions. For the subsequent third mission, we will steadily advance development of the lander and lunar rover, hereinafter referred to as the “rover,” by securing launch opportunities through launch service providers while strictly managing the development schedule, development costs and development quality.」

「Mission 1, which has already been completed, and Mission 2, planned for 2024, were positioned as R&D missions. For the subsequent third mission, we will steadily advance development of the lander and lunar rover, hereinafter referred to as the “rover,” by securing launch opportunities through launch service providers while strictly managing the development schedule, development costs and development quality.」

「For the 2 R&D missions planned from 2022 through 2024 and the subsequent third mission, we will steadily advance development of the lander and lunar rover, hereinafter referred to as the “rover,” by securing launch opportunities through launch service providers while strictly managing the development schedule, development costs and development quality.」