Japanese Spacecraft Crashes on Moon in ‘Hard Landing’, Ispace Mission Fails

Private Japanese Spacecraft Crashes on Moon’s Surface

A private Japanese spacecraft, developed by Tokyo-based company Ispace, crashed while attempting a lunar landing on Friday. The failed mission, known as RESILIENCE, was the company’s second attempt at a soft touchdown on the Moon.

What Went Wrong During the Lunar Landing Attempt

The RESILIENCE lunar lander began its landing sequence in the Mare Frigoris region of the Moon’s northern hemisphere. However, communication was lost with the lander, and a preliminary analysis suggested that the laser system for measuring altitude did not work as planned. This caused the lander to descend too fast, resulting in a ‘hard landing’ on the lunar surface.

Implications of the Failed Mission

The failed mission had aimed to collect two lunar soil samples and sell them to NASA for $5,000. The mission also carried several high-profile payloads, including a Luxembourg-built micro rover, a water electrolyser, a food production experiment, and a deep-space radiation probe.

Future Plans and Analysis

Ispace’s Founder and CEO, Takeshi Hakamada, stated that the company’s top priority is to analyze the telemetry data obtained during the mission and identify the cause of the failure. The company plans to press ahead with more lunar missions, having already experienced a crash landing during its first moonshot two years ago.

Key Takeaways and Future Developments

The failed mission highlights the challenges of lunar exploration and the importance of precise landing technology. Ispace’s experience will likely contribute to the development of more robust and reliable lunar landing systems. The company aims to continue pushing the boundaries of commercial space activity, with future missions planned to strengthen the US stance on celestial body commerce.

• The RESILIENCE lander was designed to collect lunar soil samples and deploy a small rover.
• The mission carried several high-profile payloads, including a Luxembourg-built micro rover.
• Ispace plans to analyze telemetry data to identify the cause of the failure.
• The company aims to press ahead with more lunar missions.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

The crash landing of the RESILIENCE spacecraft serves as a reminder of the complexities and risks involved in lunar exploration. As Ispace continues to develop and refine its technology, the company is likely to play a significant role in shaping the future of commercial space activity.