Private lunar exploration program HAKUTO-R Mission 1 successfully launched. Progressing smoothly.

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The lunar lander for Mission 1 of the "HAKUTO-R" private lunar exploration program by Japanese space startup ispace was launched at 16:38 on December 11 (Japan Standard Time, JST). Aiming to be the first private lunar landing, it has commenced its journey smoothly. It aims to land on the lunar surface around the end of April next year. If successful, this would mark the world's first lunar landing by a private spacecraft.

The lunar lander was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA (Provided by ispace release)

Following the launch, ispace CEO & Founder Takeshi Hakamada expressed his joy: "Watching it up close, it was a truly beautiful launch. This is the first commercial lunar mission by a private company. I am incredibly happy that we are in this world-leading position, and I am proud of the ispace team that made this happen."

This lunar landing mission is positioned as "Mission 1" of ispace's private lunar exploration program "HAKUTO-R." Mission 1 aims to verify landing technology while also testing and strengthening the business model for providing reliable lunar cargo transport services and lunar data services. The launched lander carries seven customer payloads for verifying the lunar cargo transport service.

On the 14th, it was announced that the camera aboard the lander successfully captured images and acquired data in space. Additionally, images captured by a camera from one of the payloads, provided by Canadensys, were also successfully acquired.

On the 15th, the fourth milestone of "Mission 1," "Success4," was completed, and on the 16th, the third milestone, "Success3," was completed, with the spacecraft continuing its smooth journey.

An image of the receding Earth captured by ispace's camera approximately 19 hours after the lander separated from the rocket. The crescent-shaped object is Earth.

An image captured by Canadensys's camera approximately 2 minutes after the lander separated from the rocket, showing Earth and the separated rocket.

For "HAKUTO-R," Mission 2, scheduled for launch in 2024, will conduct lunar surface exploration using a rover. Mission 3 aims to enhance lunar landing and transport precision, contributing to NASA's "Artemis program."

*All years are as of December 2022 projections.
 

■ Mission 1 Milestone Details

ispace Official Website: https://ispace-inc.com/jpn/

Private lunar exploration program HAKUTO-R Mission 1 successfully launched. Progressing smoothly.

*All years are as of December 2022 projections. &nbsp;

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*All years are as of December 2022 projections.