ispace selects ArianeGroup thrusters for ULTRA lunar landers

(SpaceEnergy) ispace has selected ArianeGroup pulsing thrusters and reaction-control hardware for its ULTRA lunar landers, alongside contracted assembly, integration and testing services supporting the spacecraft's propulsion development.

The companies disclosed the selection while announcing a memorandum of understanding at the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Türkiye.

ArianeGroup will supply pulsing thrusters and reaction-control-system thruster hardware for integration into ULTRA. It will also provide associated assembly, integration and testing services.

The memorandum establishes a framework to explore broader cooperation on future lunar spacecraft and missions. The companies said they will evaluate longer-term commercial agreements intended to support stable lander production, shorter lead times and ispace's targeted lunar launch cadence.

The agreement extends an existing relationship that included ArianeGroup propulsion-component work and assembly, integration and testing for ispace's Mission 1 lunar lander at Lampoldshausen, Germany.

ispace-Europe and ArianeGroup were also selected by the European Space Agency in 2021 for a pilot phase examining commercial partnerships for lunar transportation and exploration.

No contract value, thruster performance specifications or ULTRA propulsion delivery schedule was disclosed in the announcement.