Japanese Moon Lander Might Have Crashed On The Moon's Surface
Japanese moon lander might have crashed on the Moon's surface. The Japanese firm aiming to execute a unique private landing on the Moon has stated the communication link was severed with Hakuto-R just before it was supposed to land at about 16:40 GMT on Tuesday.
Author:Karan EmeryReviewer:Daniel JamesApr 26, 202362.6K Shares1M Views
Japanese moon lander might have crashed on the Moon's surface. The Japanese firm aiming to execute a unique private landing on the Moon has stated the communication link was severed with Hakuto-R just before it was supposed to land at about 16:40 GMT on Tuesday.
The technical team is currently examining the cause of the mishap. iSpace, headquartered in Tokyo, had anticipated that the lander would deploy a rover for exploration and a toy company's tennis ball-sized robot. The spacecraft was launched in December via a SpaceX rocket and took five months to traverse the distance to the Moon.
Around 25 minutes after the scheduled landing, Takeshi Hakamada, the CEO of iSpace, announced that they had not established communication with the lander. He went on to state that they had to assume the landing was not successful. However, he also mentioned that the company had accomplished the mission's significance by obtaining substantial data and experience during the landing phase.
Live animation displayed that the M1 lander had come within 295 feet (89 m) of the lunar surface and appeared to be on track to touch down. The lander was relatively small, measuring just over 2m in height and weighing 340kg, which is compact compared to other lunar spacecraft. The landing manoeuvre was set to take an hour from its orbit at approximately 100km above the surface, where it was travelling at a speed of nearly 6,000km/hour.
Once the Hakuto-R had arrived at the landing site in the northern hemisphere of the Moon, two payloads were scheduled for deployment to study the lunar soil, geology and atmosphere. One of the payloads was produced by the toy company TOMY, which is famous for creating Transformers. To date, only the United States, Russia, and China have succeeded in placing a robot on the lunar surface through government-funded programs.
In 2019, Israel's Beresheet mission attempted the first private company landing on the Moon. Although the spacecraft orbited the Moon, it was unsuccessful during the landing. Later in the same year, India's attempt to land a probe on the Moon also failed.
The main objective of the Japanese mission was to evaluate the feasibility of commercial launches to the lunar surface. It marked the first test by iSpace for a sequence of commercial landers that the company intends to launch over the next several years, with each endeavor more ambitious than the previous one.
iSpace envisions delivering commercial services to facilitate a sustained human presence on the lunar surface, including sending equipment for mining and creating rocket fuel.
Conclusion
According to Dr. Adam Baker, the director of the space consultancy company Rocket Engineering, a successful landing would have represented a "significant advance" in commercial involvement in space exploration.
According to his interview with the BBC:
“„If it is affordable and repeatable, it would pave the way for anyone willing to pay the cost to land something on the Moon's surface.- Dr. Adam Baker, the director of the space consultancy company Rocket Engineering
Jump to
Karan Emery
Author
Karan Emery, an accomplished researcher and leader in health sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, brings over two decades of experience to the table. Holding a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Stanford University, Karan's credentials underscore her authority in the field.
With a track record of groundbreaking research and numerous peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, Karan's expertise is widely recognized in the scientific community.
Her writing style is characterized by its clarity and meticulous attention to detail, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a broad audience. Apart from her professional endeavors, Karan enjoys cooking, learning about different cultures and languages, watching documentaries, and visiting historical landmarks.
Committed to advancing knowledge and improving health outcomes, Karan Emery continues to make significant contributions to the fields of health, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
Daniel James
Reviewer
Daniel James is a distinguished gerontologist, author, and professional coach known for his expertise in health and aging.
With degrees from Georgia Tech and UCLA, including a diploma in gerontology from the University of Boston, Daniel brings over 15 years of experience to his work.
His credentials also include a Professional Coaching Certification, enhancing his credibility in personal development and well-being.
In his free time, Daniel is an avid runner and tennis player, passionate about fitness, wellness, and staying active.
His commitment to improving lives through health education and coaching reflects his passion and dedication in both professional and personal endeavors.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles