News - 2025

Tokyo (July 31, 2025) - ispace, inc. (ispace) and Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) today announced that the companies have signed a basic agreement towards practical application of tires for small and medium-sized lunar rovers.

Based on this agreement, ispace and Bridgestone will jointly aim to enhance the performance of small and medium-sized lunar rovers. Bridgestone has been developing tires that can flexibly change shape (elastic wheels)^*1 in response to harsh surface like those on the moon, to provide high ability to traverse and durability for lunar rovers. These tires will be equipped on the small and medium-sized lunar rover prototypes developed by ispace. Performance verification will be conducted on Earth ahead of use on the moon. Through these initiatives, both companies will assess the feasibility of the technologies and business opportunities on the lunar surface, and aim for the practical application of these tires as early as around 2029. ispace and Bridgestone will further pursue collaboration through this initiative and aim to contribute to the advancement of Japan's space industry, considering the utilization of the Space Strategy Fund established at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Statement of Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO, ispace, inc.

"ispace's goal of establishing a new economy on the Moon requires the participation of players from a wide range of industries. This agreement to test and verify technology for future lunar missions is proof of this," said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder & CEO of ispace, inc. "Bridgestone, who has driven the evolution of mobility worldwide through its technological expertise, is now developing lunar rover tires for the extreme environments found on the Moon. These tires will undoubtedly contribute to future human advancement on the Moon. The micro rovers being developed by ispace are some of the world's smallest lunar rovers. They will be indispensable technology for the Moon, and a new frontier for humanity. We look forward to this collaborative effort with Bridgestone."

Statement of Masaki Ota, Director, OE Business Strategy & Planning/New Mobility Business Division, Bridgestone Corporation

"Bridgestone began research and development of tires for lunar rovers in 2019. In April 2025, we unveiled concept models^*2 featuring reduced weight for small and medium-sized lunar rovers, and we are working to further expand our network in the space business and create new opportunities for co-creation. We are very honored to start collaborating with ispace, who shares our vision for these initiatives.
Bridgestone's lunar rover tire has a structure of thin metal spokes^*3, enabling flexible deformation while maintaining durability. This design delivers superior ability to traverse and shock absorption, allowing the rover to traverse the lunar surface and overcome obstacles such as lunar rocks.
With these technical features, our tires support ispace's rover from the ground up in the harsh lunar environment, as we take on various missions together. Through collaboration with ispace, a space startup originating in Japan, we aim to establish the superiority of our lunar rover tire technology and contribute to the advancement of lunar development in Japan."

About ispace, inc. (https://ispace-inc.com)

ispace, a global lunar resource development company with the vision, "Expand our planet. Expand our future.", specializes in designing and building lunar landers and rovers. ispace aims to extend the sphere of human life into space and create a sustainable world by providing high-frequency, low-cost transportation services to the Moon. The company has business entities in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States with more than 300 employees worldwide. For more information, visit: www.ispace-inc.com and follow us on X: @ispace_inc.

About Bridgestone Corporation (https://www.bridgestone.co.jp/)

Bridgestone was founded in 1931 in Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. With the mission of "Serving Society with Superior Quality" and the vision "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company", the company has been expanding and evolving its operations to meet the changing needs of society and to continue supporting mobility and individuals' lifestyles. As a global leader in tires and rubber industry, Bridgestone operates approximately 130 manufacturing plants and R&D facilities, engaging in premium tire (core business), solutions (growth business), diversified products, and exploratory businesses in more than 150 countries and regions.^*4

As one of the exploratory businesses sowing new seeds for the future, Bridgestone has been engaged in the development of lunar tires. In line with the company's fundamental principle of "Tires carry life", Bridgestone has been developing tires, using technology from the "AirFree" to meet stringent requirements for traversability and durability, thereby empowering the evolution of space mobility from the ground up. By evolving its technology, the company is committed to being essential to the future of mobility, taking on the challenge of the new "extreme" environment of human activity - the surface of the Moon. Through its lunar rover tire development, Bridgestone is striving to achieve the corporate commitment of "Extension: Committed to nonstop mobility and innovation that keeps people and the world moving ahead," as set out in its "Bridgestone E8 Commitment." ^*5

1. For an overview of Bridgestone's tire technology for lunar rovers, please refer to the following website.
   Bridgestone's Lunar Rover Tire Supporting the movement of lunar mobility with safety and peace of mind, enabling humankind to pursue the moon | Bridgestone
2. In April 2025, Bridgestone announced concept models of elastic tire that has been made lighter for small and medium-sized lunar rovers, based on the second-generation tire.
   Bridgestone to Exhibit at 40th Space Symposium Empowering Lunar Mobility from the Ground Up under Extreme Conditions News | Bridgestone
3. A component that connects the tire's contact surface and the wheel, supporting the load and absorbing shocks.
4. As of the end of December 2024.
5. The Bridgestone Group established its corporate commitment, the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," to help it realize its vision: "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company." This commitment will serve as the Group's axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of eight uniquely Bridgestone values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through distinctly Bridgestone purposes and processes, together with employees, society, partners, and customers to help realize a sustainable society.