Atsuyoshi Koike, CEO of Rapidus Corp, announced plans to construct a semiconductor manufacturing facility on the Moon by approximately 2040. He identified the availability of lunar water resources as a key factor supporting the feasibility of chip production in space.
During a presentation at the Hudson Institute in Washington, Koike showcased a conceptual video of the lunar plant. He noted that the project could potentially involve collaboration with SpaceX, citing Elon Musk's ongoing work on spacecraft capable of transporting cargo and personnel to the lunar surface.
IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, who attended the event, confirmed that his company continues to provide technical support to Rapidus. The Japanese manufacturer is currently focused on mass-producing 2-nanometer semiconductors at its facility located in Hokkaido.
Beyond current production goals, IBM and Rapidus are engaged in joint research and development efforts. The companies are working on advanced chip technologies in the 1-nanometer range, aiming to push the boundaries of current semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
