- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) is actively participating in a series of space programs, including the Artemis Program, to advance lunar exploration and develop a manned lunar orbital base.
- MHI is involved in the development of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), the LUPEX rover, and is assessing cargo transfer vehicles to the Gateway space station.
Tokyo, September 14, 2023 – Half a century after the Apollo missions, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) is setting the stage for a new era in lunar exploration. The industrial giant is leveraging its extensive heritage in space technologies to participate in both domestic and international space programs.
Advancing Life in Space: ECLSS for Artemis Program’s Gateway
As a part of the Artemis program, led by NASA and involving international partners such as Europe, Canada, and Japan, MHI is developing the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for the International Habitation Module (I-HAB). The Gateway space station, which will serve as a lunar orbit base for astronauts, is the centerpiece of the Artemis program.
“MHI is committed to successfully developing ECLSS, the core life support capabilities for I-HAB,” said a spokesperson from MHI. The ECLSS technology will be indispensable for not just the moon but also for future missions to Mars and beyond.
Pioneering Lunar Exploration: LUPEX Rover and Toyota’s Manned Pressurized Rover
MHI is also involved in the Lunar Pole Exploration program (LUPEX), a joint venture between JAXA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The program aims to collect data on lunar water resources, which could be crucial for sustained space exploration.
Additionally, MHI is supporting Toyota Motor Corporation and JAXA in the development of a manned pressurized rover. This rover will enable astronauts to traverse the moon without the need for heavy space suits.
Cargo Transfer to Gateway: Building on HTV’s Success
Building on the successful track record of all nine flights of the HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) and its successor HTV-X, MHI is supporting JAXA’s assessment of the cargo transfer vehicle to the Gateway space station.
