Bengaluru-based space technology startup Digantara has announced a strategic partnership with Japanese lunar exploration firm ispace to jointly develop a detailed map of the Moon’s orbit. The collaboration aims to establish a cislunar situational awareness infrastructure, an advanced system designed to monitor and track objects between Earth and the Moon. This effort is expected to play a critical role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of future lunar missions as governments and private companies accelerate their exploration plans.

The project will focus on building comprehensive orbital data that can track satellites, space debris, and other objects operating in the Earth-Moon corridor. With the increasing number of planned missions—including lunar landers, communication satellites, and logistics systems—the cislunar region is anticipated to become a heavily trafficked zone. Reliable mapping and monitoring will therefore be essential to avoid collisions and protect expensive space assets.

Digantara, which specializes in space situational awareness (SSA) technologies, has already been working on building orbital debris tracking systems around Earth. By teaming up with ispace, a company known for its lunar transport and exploration programs, the partnership will expand those capabilities to the cislunar domain. The companies highlighted that their collaboration is not just about data collection but about building the backbone of a sustainable infrastructure that can support future lunar industries.

The partnership also underscores the growing role of startups in the global space race, with companies from India and Japan contributing directly to long-term lunar exploration goals. As space becomes a shared and competitive frontier, innovations in situational awareness are set to become a cornerstone of mission planning and safety. By addressing challenges early, Digantara and ispace are positioning themselves as key players in shaping the next phase of space exploration.