ispace to Launch Around Late 2022 (※), Holds Progress Briefing for HAKUTO-R Missions 1 and 2
ispace, a space startup company engaged in lunar resource development, held a live-streamed progress report meeting on January 25 for Missions 1 and 2 of its private lunar exploration program "HAKUTO-R." The event was broadcast live from in front of the HAKUTO-R Mission Control Center (control room) in Chuo Ward, Tokyo.
*As of February 2022
CTO Hideki Shimomura shared the latest information on the development status of the flight model for the lander (lunar lander) to be used in Mission 1, showing footage filmed at the development site in Germany. He also touched on the progress of Mission 2, which is being developed in parallel, and revealed initial concept drawings of the micro-rover (small lunar rover) whose development is now in full swing at ispace Europe in Luxembourg.
Founder & CEO Takeshi Hakamada provided an overview of Mission 1. Hakamada highlighted four key points for Mission 1, aimed at demonstrating lunar landing technology: "Automatic guidance control and impact absorption during lunar landing," "Transporting and demonstrating experiments with seven payloads on the lunar surface," "Meticulous preparation of the Mission Control Center," and "Design unique to the private sector." He stated, "We will land on the moon and deliver our customers' cargo to the lunar surface. Some payloads will be detached to provide power and communications. We consider that the success of our mission." Astronaut Mamoru Mohri commented, "In space, the first attempt doesn't always go perfectly. It's good that they have clearly defined success criteria – what constitutes success."
When asked by Mouri about future space development, Hakamada stated, "It's not just about sending humans to the Moon, but also sending supplies, and the cooperative relationship between the two will become crucial. We have proposed the 'Moon Valley 2040' vision, aiming for around 1,000 people to be active on the Moon by the 2040s. Various supplies will be needed to support human activities. Building that infrastructure will become an important mission for ispace."
Next, the original artwork for the lander, specially drawn by mechanical designer Kunio Okawara, was introduced. Okawara stated, "The pressure of being asked to create the key visual for such an important project was immense," adding, "I would be delighted if children develop an interest in the Earth's environment and humanity's venture into space from a young age."
ispace has begun full-scale training for control operations at its Mission Control Center in preparation for the lander's control, running parallel to the assembly of the lander's flight model in Germany. After completing environmental testing, the lander will be transported to the launch site in Florida, USA. The specific launch window is planned for around the end of 2022 (as of February 2022).
ispace Official Website: https://ispace-inc.com/jpn/
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