ispace: Lunar Lander Progressing Smoothly, Launched Successfully in January - "HAKUTO-R" Mission 2
The "RESILIENCE" lander, successfully launched in January as Mission 2 "SMBC x HAKUTO-R VENTURE MOON" of the lunar exploration program "HAKUTO-R" by space startup ispace, which is working on lunar resource development, is currently proceeding smoothly. It is scheduled to arrive at the moon as early as Friday, June 6, at 4:24 a.m. (Japan Standard Time) (※1). It aims to be the first Japanese private company to achieve a lunar landing.
※1 As of March 2025
Launched on January 15th from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the RESILIENCE lander separated from the rocket and subsequently established communication with mission control, stabilized its orientation, and secured a stable power supply in orbit. It was successfully placed into its planned orbit.
Following the successful launch, which followed Mission 1 in 2022, Takeshi Hakamada, ispace CEO & Founder, commented: "RESILIENCE has begun its second journey toward deep space and the Moon. This marks the start of a new chapter for ispace as we build the Cislunar Economy and provide services to transport our customers' payloads to the lunar surface."
※2 The space between Earth and the Moon
※3 Cargo that can be loaded onto a lander or rover
Furthermore, on February 15, the RESILIENCE lander passed approximately 8,400 kilometers above the lunar surface, achieving the first-ever "lunar flyby" by a commercial lunar lander developed by a private company.
The lunar flyby was a crucial milestone for transitioning to deep space navigation using the low-energy transfer orbit (LETO) envisioned by ispace. It required precise orbital planning and operations to guide the lander within tens of kilometers of the target point. Leveraging the orbital control experience and achievements gained during Mission 1, the maneuver was successfully completed.
Moving forward, the RESILIENCE lander will navigate deep space using the low-energy transfer orbit as planned. It will then utilize the Sun's gravity to reach the lunar gravitation sphere around May 6th and enter a lunar orbit.
Additionally, ispace produced a promotional video titled "Let's not make Japan a country that can't afford to fail." timed for the January launch of the RESILIENCE lander. It was released via YouTube ads, TVer ads, cinema ads, and an X trend page takeover. The promotional video emphasized the importance of daring to challenge without fear of failure, highlighting how the data and know-how gained from the lunar landing failure in Mission 1 are being applied to Mission 2.
HAKUTO-R website: https://ispace-inc.com/jpn/m2
【Related Past Articles】
・ispace announces next mission: lunar exploration, along with raising 10 billion yen in funding
・Announces Partners for Lunar Exploration Program "HAKUTO-R"
・Lunar Exploration Program "HAKUTO-R" Announces Three New Partners
・Making the Moon a Habitat: Private Company ispace Leads "All-Industry Participation" Lunar Development Project
・ispace Completes Series B Funding Round, Announces New Lunar Business Concept (Video Included)
・Private lunar exploration "HAKUTO-R" announces opening of Mission Control Center and SMBC Group partnership
・ispace Begins Assembly of Flight Model for 2022 Launch
・ispace to Launch Around Late 2022; Holds Progress Briefing for HAKUTO-R Missions 1 and 2
・Private Lunar Exploration Program HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Successfully Launches. Progressing Smoothly
・ispace Aims for Lunar Landing Again: "HAKUTO-R" Mission 2 Lunar Rover Design Announced
・ispace completes shipment of lunar rover to Japan for HAKUTO-R Mission 2
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