A Japanese startup is preparing for a critical milestone in space exploration, with its moon lander, Resilience, targeting a soft landing between June 6 and June 8. The mission follows the recent success of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost, which became the second private spacecraft to land on the moon and the first to do so upright.
Aiming for Redemption After 2023’s Setback
ispace’s Resilience lander lifted off in January aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, sharing the ride with Blue Ghost. While its American counterpart achieved its goal quickly, Resilience is taking a more gradual approach, executing a lunar flyby before settling into a low-energy transfer orbit.
This mission marks ispace’s second attempt at reaching the lunar surface. In 2023, its initial lander suffered a hard landing, rendering it inoperable. However, the company has learned from past mistakes. “Compared to Mission 1, Mission 2 is progressing as smoothly as expected,” ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada stated, emphasizing the lessons gained from their previous endeavor.
The Challenge of Lunar Landings
Unlike planets with atmospheres, the moon’s vacuum makes parachutes useless. Spacecraft must rely on meticulously controlled thrusters to slow their descent and navigate rugged terrain. Only five nations—the Soviet Union, the United States, China, India, and Japan—have successfully landed on the moon.
Private companies are now pushing the boundaries of lunar exploration, offering cost-effective alternatives to government-led missions. Last year, Intuitive Machines made history as the first private company to reach the lunar surface, albeit at an awkward angle. Despite the landing mishap, its uncrewed vehicle continued operations and transmitted valuable data.
The Race for the Moon Continues
With ispace eyeing its historic moment in June, other companies are not far behind. Intuitive Machines is set to attempt another lunar landing on March 6, deploying its Athena probe to one of the moon’s southernmost locations ever visited. Athena carries three rovers, a drill to search for ice, and a groundbreaking hopping drone designed to explore hard-to-reach areas.
The renewed interest in moon missions signals a new era of commercial space exploration. As more private firms enter the field, the dream of frequent and affordable lunar travel is becoming a reality.
