Israeli and Japanese companies join forces in lunar industry
Helios and ispace have announced a partnership that will allow them to demonstrate their technology to produce oxygen and metals on the lunar surface.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFSimulation of oxygen and metal production on the moon.(photo credit: HELIOS)
Helios, an Israeli startup, plans to join Japan-based ispace's second and third missions to the lunar surface to demonstrate its technology to produce oxygen and metals on the lunar surface, according to a press release that was published on Monday.
"The technology we are developing is part of the value chain that enables the establishment of permanent bases away from Earth," said Jonathan Geifman, Helios co-founder and CEO.Simulation of an experiment on the moon (Credit: Helios)
Helios' technology, called Lunar Extractor 1 and Lunar Extractor 2, aims to demonstrate the production of oxygen and metals from local resources, such as the Moon's soil, which has over 40% oxygen by weight. The first extractor is designed to separate the oxygen from the soil. "ispace, as a pioneer in building the cislunar ecosystem, is honored to provide our lunar transportation service and assist Helios to demonstrate their technology on the Moon," said founder & CEO Takeshi Hakamada.
A signing ceremony between the Israeli and Japanese companies was hosted by Japanese Ambassador to Israel Koichi Mizushima. The agreement allows ispace to deliver the Helios technology to the lunar surface by the end of 2023 and mid-2024.
