RIYADH: A pact between a Saudi Arabia university and Japanese space exploration company has raised hopes of using the Kingdom’s expertise in oil and gas infrastructure for a lunar economy.
Dr. Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-Europe, told Arab News recently that the company envisages tangible economic returns and employment opportunities for Saudi Arabia through the partnership signed with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in January.
He pointed to significant potential for Saudi Arabia’s world-leading industries, such as mining, oil and gas, to pivot toward lunar exploration and space resource applications.
“ispace sees significant potential for Saudi Arabia to build on its expertise in mining and oil and gas, translating these strengths into lunar surface exploration, infrastructure, and space resources,” Lamamy said.
He envisaged working with Saudi partners to develop these lunar capabilities, and said the Kingdom is well-positioned to leverage its current strengths to play a meaningful role in the emerging lunar economy.
Lamamy said the partnership includes exploring the possibility of transporting Saudi payloads to the moon, though the specifics of the delivery and mission timelines have not yet been defined.
Dr. Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-Europe. (Supplied)
He also confirmed that the partnership with KACST explicitly includes initiatives to develop Saudi national capabilities, skills and knowledge in lunar exploration.
“With the recent establishment of ispace SA, the company’s investment in job creation in the Kingdom will advance as it increases Saudi projects, including those developed with KACST,” he said.
The partnership, signed on the sidelines of the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Forum earlier this year, aims to design, manufacture, test and operate advanced lunar exploration technologies, including rover systems.
Dr. Maryam Noah, KACST’s vice president, future economies sector, told Arab News: “This strategic partnership reflects KACST’s commitment to strengthening the Kingdom’s leadership in the fields of space and next-generation lunar exploration.
“Through our collaboration with ispace, we aim to develop advanced technologies and build national knowledge, skills, and capabilities that will contribute to shaping the future of Saudi Arabia in the space sector.”
Takeshi Hakamada, ispace CEO and founder, added: “We are honored to partner with KACST to advance Saudi Arabian lunar technology, missions and capability.
“The focus across lunar rover systems, lunar science payload transportation and operation on the Moon is just a start.”
