In a disappointing turn of events, Japanese startup ispace‘s uncrewed lunar lander, Resilience, has failed to establish communication following its touchdown attempt on 6 June 2024. This mission marked ispace’s second try to become the first non-US company to execute a controlled moon landing—an ambitious goal that is meanwhile garnering increased international interest.
Previous Failures and High Hopes
Resilience’s attempt to land on Mare Frigoris, a lunar sea close to the moon’s north pole, came two years after its inaugural mission ended in failure. The first lander crashed onto the moon due to a software glitch that misjudged its altitude during descent—a fundamental area of concern for space missions.
Mission Details
- Launch: Resilience shared a SpaceX rocket launch with Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander in January 2024.
- Payload: The lander carried scientific instruments from Japanese firms, a Taiwanese university, and a rover from ispace’s Luxembourg branch, with total payload costs amounting to S$21 million.
- Achievements Sought: If successful, ispace had planned to transfer ownership of collected regolith to NASA, marking what would be the first commercial transaction of lunar resources.
Future Prospects
Despite the setback, ispace has ambitious plans, targeting the establishment of a permanent lunar colony by the 2040s, with up to 1,000 inhabitants. They aim to tap into the moon’s water resources effectively.
The Japanese government has increasingly supported efforts in lunar exploration, aligning with NASA’s Artemis programme. There’s considerable industrial interest back home, with various sectors, from construction to automotive, participating in the lunar exploration narrative.
As Professor Kazuto Saiki from Ritsumeikan University remarked, having a domestic transport option like ispace is a tremendous advantage for Japan’s continued exploration of the moon. Investors remain optimistic, as ispace’s share prices surged about 60% this year, a sign of the vibrant space startup ecosystem in Tokyo.