International Lunar Observatory Association

Name

International Lunar Observatory Association

Legal name

International Lunar Observatory Association

Website

https://iloa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Astronomy Research

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (927110)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK)

Keywords

• Lunar astronomy observatories
• Space telescope payloads
• Moon south pole missions
• Space science instrumentation
• STEAM astronomy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kamuela

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ILOA generates revenue primarily through tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting space exploration and astronomy education.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ILOA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that designs and operates a portfolio of lunar-based astronomical observatories. Its core mission is to install and operate a permanent multifunctional International Lunar Observatory at the Moon's South Pole for long-term astronomy, science, and exploration. The organization develops optical telescope payloads (ILO-X, ILO-C, ILO-1) that fly as hosted payloads on commercial and governmental lunar landers and rovers, and shares the resulting scientific data with the international research community.

Product overview

ILOA is a non-profit organization developing a multi-mission lunar observatory portfolio. The program includes: (1) ILO-X, a dual-camera precursor that successfully demonstrated lunar imaging in 2024, (2) ILO-C, a wide-field optical telescope scheduled for China's Chang'e-7 mission in 2026, and (3) ILO-1, the flagship long-duration observatory planned for 2028 via the Astrolab FLEX rover. Supporting programs include the Galaxy Forum education initiative and international collaborations for Chang'e-3 lunar telescope operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ILO-1 Flagship Lunar Observatory The flagship ILO-1 mission is intended to establish a permanent, multifunctional International Lunar Observatory at the Moon's South Pole for long-term astronomy, science, and exploration, serving the international scientific community.
• ILO-X Precursor Lunar Telescope ILO-X is ILOA's precursor lunar telescope payload that landed on the Moon in February 2024, validating the technology and operational approach for the larger ILO-1 flagship observatory. It serves as a pathfinder for the organization's lunar astronomy program.
• ILO-C Lunar Observatory for Chang'e-7 ILO-C is an ILOA lunar observatory instrument scheduled for the China National Space Administration's Chang'e-7 mission in 2026, extending ILOA's science operations to the lunar South Pole through an international partnership.
• Galaxy Forum Education Program Galaxy Forum is ILOA's global education and outreach program that communicates lunar astronomy, space science, and STEAM topics to students, educators, and the general public through conferences and online events.
• Chang'e-3 LUT Collaboration A collaboration between ILOA and the National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC) on the Lunar Ultra-Violet Telescope (LUT) aboard Chang'e-3, which performed the first-ever astronomical observations from the lunar surface.

Quantifiable outcome

• 341 images returned from first private lunar telescope mission (ILO-X, 2024)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.

• Venturi AstrolabflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2025ILOA selected Astrolab's FLEX rover for delivery of ILO-1 flagship mission to the lunar South Pole. ILO-1 will be mounted on the FLEX rover's lightbar and is expected to operate for at least one year beginning NET 2028.
• Hong Kong University Laboratory for Space Research (HKU LSR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2024MoU signed June 2024 for HKU LSR to participate as equal partner in ILO-C Chang'e-7 mission. HKU LSR telescope design was formally chosen and development began. Partnership includes collaboration with NAOC and NARIT.
• Intuitive MachinesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2024ILOA's ILO-X instruments were integrated into Intuitive Machines' IM-1 Nova-C lunar lander Odysseus. The mission successfully landed ILO-X near the lunar South Pole on February 22, 2024, marking the first USA lunar landing in the 21st century. ILO-X returned 341 images total.
• Beijing Institute of Space Mechanics and Electricity (BISME)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024BISME developed the ILO-C compact, low-mass instrument featuring Sony IMX253 sCMOS sensor for the Chang'e-7 mission. ILO-C selected by China National Space Administration and Deep Space Exploration Laboratory.
• Lunar Codex / Dr. Samuel PeraltaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Naming rights auction for ILO-X wide field-of-view imager won by Dr. Samuel Peralta, founder of the Lunar Codex cultural archive project. The instrument was renamed 'Lunar Codex' to spotlight the cultural archive project.
• Space Age Publishing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2023ILOA's affiliate partner since its founding in 2007, co-sponsoring the international Galaxy Forum series. Publishes Space Calendar and Lunar Enterprise Daily. Led by Founding Director Steve Durst.
• Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ILOA signed LoI followed by MoU with DSEL for cooperation on the International Lunar Research Station, Galaxy Forum Hainan, and Tiandu Forum. Represents cooperation on China's lunar research infrastructure.
• Canadensys Aerospace CorporationcoreTechnology or Integration · 22 September 2022ILOA contracted Canadensys Aerospace for development of ILO-1's rugged optical imaging instrument suite and pan-tilt unit. Also developed ILO-X precursor instruments. Long-term partnership since 2014 for lunar optics development.
• National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC-CAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2012MoU signed September 2012 for collaboration on lunar astronomy. Enabled Chang'e-3 Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope observations including first spiral galaxy (M101) imaged from Moon for ILOA in 2014. Ongoing research fellow program and ILO-C Chang'e-7 partnership.
• National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNARIT joined the ILO-C Chang'e-7 partnership MoU as observer, with intention for collaboration to expand. Contributes to Southeast Asia astronomy network coordination.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Moon Express: US commercial lunar lander company that was part of the early Google Lunar XPRIZE contenders. Comparable mission profile of delivering commercial payloads to the lunar surface, though currently less active.
• Lunar Outpost: US-based commercial lunar surface robotics company developing rovers and technology for sustained lunar operations. Comparable in working with commercial lunar lander providers and NASA CLPS.

Direct peers

• The Planetary Society: Leading nonprofit space advocacy organization promoting space exploration and science. Most direct nonprofit peer to ILOA in mission-driven space science engagement and education.
• Astrobotic: American commercial lunar lander company competing in the NASA CLPS program alongside Intuitive Machines. Develops end-to-end lunar payload delivery services comparable to ILOA's mission profile.
• Canadensys Aerospace: Canadian aerospace company contracted by ILOA to develop the rugged optical imaging instrument suite and pan-tilt unit for ILO-1. Built ILO-X precursor instruments and operates in the same lunar payload development ecosystem.
• Intuitive Machines: US-based commercial lunar lander provider that carried ILO-X to the Moon on its IM-1 Nova-C mission in February 2024. Closest direct partner and peer in the commercial lunar ecosystem.
• Astrolab: US-based developer of the FLEX lunar rover contracted to deliver ILOA's flagship ILO-1 mission to the Moon South Pole. Direct partner with aligned commercial lunar surface ambitions.
• SpaceIL: Israeli nonprofit that operated the Beresheet lunar lander missions. Closest not-for-profit peer to ILOA pursuing lunar surface exploration as a non-commercial mission.
• ispace: Japan-based commercial lunar lander company (Hakuto-R missions) operating in the same commercial lunar payload delivery space as ILOA's partners. Directly comparable in mission architecture and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• NASA (CLPS Program): US government agency operating the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program that funds commercial lunar deliveries. Broader incumbent that procures and shapes the lunar market ILOA serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ILOA_Hawaii
• Facebookfacebook.com/international-lunar-observatory-association-444731015641868
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-lunar-observatory-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Lunar Observatory Association