Global lunar exploration leader ispace, inc. and India-based Digantara, a pioneer in space situational awareness, have announced discussions on a landmark joint lunar mission focused on cislunar situational and domain awareness infrastructure. The announcement coincided with the 15th Annual India–Japan Summit in Tokyo, attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

This collaboration builds on the legacy of India’s Chandrayaan missions by ISRO, the upcoming ISRO–JAXA Lunar Polar Exploration (LuPEX) mission, and ispace’s successful commercial Missions 1 and 2. It marks one of the most significant private-sector partnerships between Indian and Japanese space startups, signaling a new era in cross-border lunar innovation.

The joint mission will integrate Digantara’s expertise in space domain awareness with ispace’s proven lunar landing capabilities, enabling private lunar landings, payload delivery, data acquisition, and the incorporation of cislunar situational awareness into lunar operations. Together, the companies aim to develop a sustainable lunar ecosystem; laying the groundwork for infrastructure, logistics, and resource utilization on and around the Moon.

Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, emphasized that the mission aligns with the QUAD framework, ensuring cooperative and sustainable lunar exploration. Anirudh Sharma, CEO of Digantara, highlighted the goal of creating safe and commercially viable operations that blend exploration with resource-driven innovation.

This partnership reflects how India–Japan strategic ties are now reinforced by private-sector leadership in space.