Communication with Hakuto-R lost moments before touchdown
The Japanese company ispace was able to communicate with its Hakuto-R spacecraft until just before it was supposed to land on the Moon, according to the company’s founder, Takeshi Hakamada. Approximately 25 minutes after the lander’s scheduled soft touchdown on the lunar surface, communication was lost. This suggests that the lander likely crashed into the Moon.
Hakamada spoke with emotion during the company’s webcast, stating
“We have to assume that we did not complete the landing on the lunar surface. We will keep going and never quit in our quest.”
The company’s engineers will continue to analyze data from the spacecraft’s descent on Tuesday to improve future versions of the lander. This is the second privately funded effort to make a soft landing on the Moon that has failed, following the Israeli Beresheet spacecraft’s crash into the Moon in 2019 due to a main engine failure.
About the Hakuto-R spacecraft
The Hakuto-R spacecraft is a small lunar exploration rover developed by the Japanese space robotics company called ispace. Its primary objective is to explore the lunar surface and carry out scientific experiments. It is part of the company’s larger goal of making space accessible to everyone and creating a sustainable lunar economy.
The spacecraft weighs around 4 kg and measures 45 cm in length, 30 cm in width, and 25 cm in height. Despite being small, it is equipped with a range of scientific instruments, including high-definition cameras, thermal sensors, and a laser range finder. The cameras are capable of capturing high-resolution images of the lunar surface, while the thermal sensors can measure the temperature of the surface. The laser range finder can also measure the distance between the spacecraft and the lunar surface. These instruments will provide valuable data and insights into the lunar surface, which will help scientists better understand the Moon’s geology and composition.
The Hakuto-R spacecraft is designed to be launched on a lunar lander and will be deployed on the Moon’s surface to explore its terrain. It can travel up to 500 meters on a single charge and is capable of operating in extreme temperatures ranging from -150°C to 150°C. Despite the harsh environment, the spacecraft is designed to withstand the extreme conditions and continue to operate effectively.
Overall, the Hakuto-R spacecraft is an important contribution to lunar exploration and scientific research. With its advanced technology and capabilities, it is expected to provide valuable insights into the lunar surface and help us better understand the Moon’s geology and composition. It is also part of ispace’s larger goal of creating a sustainable lunar economy by developing new technologies and resources that can be used to support future missions to the Moon and beyond.
