Aureon Space Systems Officially Decides to Implement "Asteroid Resource Exploration Mission" in 2031 Towards Realizing Vision of "Creating a Second Moon"

Concept image of Aureon Space Systems' vision of "Creating a Second Moon." This involves moving an asteroid to the space between Earth and the Moon to construct a new space infrastructure base for self-sufficiency in space.

Aureon Space Systems (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Wakamoto; hereinafter "Aureon") officially decided on July 5, 2026, to execute an "Asteroid Resource Exploration Mission" targeting an actual asteroid in 2031, aiming to build a sustainable space resource supply chain and realize its vision of "Creating a Second Moon." To complete this mission, a roadmap has been established to launch a demonstration satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2029, and ground verification tests are currently underway. We also announce that the core technologies forming the foundation of this mission are currently pending patent applications.

Background of Resource Exploration Mission and Development

In recent years, with the intensifying development competition in cis-lunar (Earth-Moon) space and a significant decrease in launch costs, "In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)" that does not rely on resupply from Earth has rapidly emerged as the core of the space economy.

Aureon is challenging the transformation of space logistics by using its proprietary transport technology, which does not rely on conventional chemical propellants. To this end, the company has refined its mid-to-long-term business roadmap and is now steering towards a full-scale deep space exploration mission in 2031.

Aureon upholds the grand vision of "Creating a Second Moon." This involves establishing "propellant-free" mass drivers that use the asteroid's own rock as reaction mass, ejected by a reusable carrier to control the orbits of the spacecraft and the entire asteroid system.

This will not only build infrastructure to return "space-derived resources (green metals)" with zero country risk to Earth, addressing terrestrial resource crises, but also function as a "Second Moon (space resource infrastructure base)" capable of locally procuring and supplying building materials and fuel for future orbital stations and lunar bases in space, thereby reducing the burden on the Earth's environment and supporting humanity's expansion into space.

Details of Development and Verification Phases

Towards the 2031 deep space mission, a step-by-step verification process is being executed.

Current Ground Verification: Integrated ground testing of elemental technologies is underway. Specifically, verification of the launch and recovery system using simulated asteroid regolith is being conducted, along with measurement of reaction forces and continuous operation tests of the acceleration mechanism. Development work is proceeding in collaboration with partner companies, and component specifications are being formulated with a view to their application in the space environment.

2029 Orbital Demonstration: A technology demonstration satellite is planned to be launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to conduct elemental technology verification in space under microgravity conditions.

Future Outlook

The ongoing ground integration tests and progress in patent applications, considering international space law, will form the foundation for Aureon's technological and legal barriers to entry in its business development. Through the LEO demonstration in 2029 and the asteroid exploration mission in 2031, we will establish resource reserve data, leading to advance sales contracts for resources, thereby promoting the reliable assetization of resources and long-term corporate strategy.