JALUX Inc. (JALUX), the trading company of Japan Airlines (JAL), and ispace, inc. (ispace), 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.

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.　　

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 [email protected].