TAMPA — Space robotics expert GITAI has completed the concept study for a mechanical hand that will be ready to support Japan’s crewed moon rover by early next decade.

GITAI’s founder and CEO Sho Nakanose said that the Japanese subsidiary of the Torrance-based California company completed the study on March 31 under a $160,000 agreement with Japan’s JAXA agency.

This study covered the concept design for the robotic arm system, the interface requirements and the operational scenarios for remote and automated use. Nakanose said that the next phase of contract would likely include several million dollars in funding from JAXA. JAXA is developing the pressurized rover together with Japanese automaker Toyota.

As part of Japan’s Artemis contribution, the rover will support crewed explorations of the Moon’s Polar regions. It will provide astronauts with a pressurized mobile habitat that allows them travel, live, and work on the moon’s surface for up 30 days.

The United States and Japan agreed to include Japanese astronauts on Artemis lunar missions in exchange for JAXA leading the work on the crewed moon rover. Nakanose stated via email that, “while no official launch date has yet been set, JAXA is internally targeting a timeframe between 2031-2035 depending on Artemis missions scheduling, rover ready and launch opportunities.”

According to the GITAI contract, the rover should be ready for launch by FY2030. Nakanose said JAXA is continuing to work closely with NASA through the Artemis Accords, and their Gateway partnership, to ensure interoperability.