Japan Airlines to Launch Lunar Courier Service from 2028

Japan Airlines, in collaboration with JALUX, is developing a new innovation in space aviation. The two companies have signed an agreement for a lunar landing mission (Mission 3) scheduled for 2028. Japan Airlines and JALUX plan to sell cargo transport capacity and deliver items to the Moon’s surface. In November 2025, the three group companies — JAL, JALUX, and JAL Engineering — signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore collaboration in lunar transportation and operations. Leveraging cargo transport capacity, the JAL Group will launch a new initiative called the “ARGO PROJECT”, aimed at preserving Earth’s cultural heritage on the Moon for future generations using ispace’s lunar lander. The project seeks to pass on valuable cultural heritage and human activities to future lunar inhabitants. The JAL Group argues that the rapidly changing world risks the loss of cultural artefacts, while the lunar environment offers a location to protect and preserve valuable cultural assets until they can be accessed by future generations. JALUX will be responsible for specialised lunar cargo containers, collecting items to be transported, and developing the containers. The transport containers measure approximately 20 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm, featuring internal compartments made from materials capable of withstanding lunar conditions and protecting their contents. Meanwhile, JAL will collaborate with regional governments and companies across Japan to collect modern cultural items such as regional products and traditional foods. Additionally, specialised containers will be prepared to carry cultural artefacts to the Moon’s surface.