Press Release
JAL Group Launches "ARGO PROJECT," the World's First Lunar Transport Service by an Airline
― JALUX and ispace Sign 2028 Payload Service Agreement to Deliver Cultural Artifacts ―
（Joint Release）
May 26, 2026
JALUX Inc.
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
ispace, inc.
Tokyo, JAPAN―JALUX Inc. (JALUX), the trading company of Japan Airlines (JAL), and ispace, inc. (ispace) (TOKYO: 9348), a global lunar exploration company, today announced that the two companies have signed a payload service agreement (PSA) for ispace's next lunar landing mission, Mission 3, currently scheduled for 2028.
Under the agreement, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) and JALUX will begin selling payload transport capacity to private companies and local governments on May 27, 2026, for delivery to the lunar surface.
A concept image of the Möbius Ark, lunar transportation container.
In November 2025, ispace and three JAL Group companies (JAL, JALUX, and JAL Engineering) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore collaboration in the fields of lunar transportation and operations. Today's PSA marks the first step in the concrete implementation of that collaboration. Utilizing the payload transport capacity, the JAL Group is launching the "ARGO PROJECT," an initiative to pass on Earth's culture on the Moon for future generations, utilizing ispace lunar landers.
*Based on internal research by JALUX as of May 2026.
The ARGO Project
Officially named "The ARGO Trans-Lunar Heritage Project," and embodying the concept of "The Ark Relaying for Generations Onward," this project is inspired by the constellation Argo Navis, which represents a great sailing ship. It aims to pass on precious cultural heritage and human activities to future lunar inhabitants.
ispace's ULTRA lunar lander scheduled for Mission 3.
In the rapidly changing world, there is a constant risk that precious cultural artifacts and ways of life could be suddenly lost. The lunar environment offers a location to protect and preserve these valuable cultural assets until the day they are opened by future generations.
Phase 1：Container development
Call for payload items
Phase 2：Rocket launch
Transport from Earth orbit to the Moon
Phase 3：Lunar Landing
Placement of the dedicated container
Phase 4：Cultural transfer to future lunar humanity
Long-term container storage
JAL and JALUX serve as the project's two main organizers. JALUX will be responsible for the dedicated lunar transport container, "Möbius Ark," including soliciting items for inclusion and developing the dedicated container. The transportation container design measures approximately 20 cm × 20 cm × 10 cm, features internal compartments, and uses materials capable of withstanding the lunar environment to protect the contents.
JAL will collaborate with local governments and companies throughout Japan to collect items that reflect modern culture, such as regional specialties and products representative of local businesses. ispace will serve as the transporter of the specialized container carrying the cultural artifacts to the Moon's surface.
This marks the JAL Group's first venture of this kind, and the "Möbius Ark" container will be photographed once it reaches the lunar surface.
For business inquiries, please contact JALUX Inc. Space Business Team at sbiz@jalux.com.
Building on more than 70 years of history in air transportation, the JAL Group is supporting the development of a new transportation network to the Moon. Together with partner companies and local governments, the goal is a society where space transportation becomes more accessible through missions like this to pass on culture to future generations.
About Japan Airlines (https://www.jal.com/en/)
Japan Airlines (JAL), Japan's first private aviation company, was established in 1951 and is a member of the oneworld® Alliance. The airline operates a fleet of 234 aircraft (as of March 2026) and began renewing its international long-haul aircraft with the Airbus A350-1000 starting 2023 Winter Schedule. Together with other JAL Group and partner airlines, JAL offers an extensive domestic and international network that serves 413 airports across 71 countries/regions.
The airline has received numerous accolades for its exceptional service, including being recognized as a certified 5-Star Airline by Skytrax and being awarded the prestigious "World Class" Airline title by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association. The airline is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of flight safety and overall service quality, striving to be the most preferred airline by customers worldwide.
About JALUX Inc. (https://www.jalux.com/en/profile/)
JALUX is a trading company within the JAL Group that operates a wide range of businesses, including aviation and airports, lifestyle services, retail, and food.
In addition to strengths in the aviation and airport sectors--such as the aircraft parts business and overseas airport operations--JALUX is actively engaged in a wide range of businesses closely tied to people's daily lives. Driven by a spirit of innovation, JALUX is also expanding into next-generation frontiers, including the rapidly growing space industry, continuously creating new value for a changing world.
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.
