Japanese startup ispace Inc. Discloses Altitude Miscalculation as Cause of Failed Moon Landing Mission

Japanese startup ispace Inc. has revealed that an altitude miscalculation led to the failed moon landing mission of its spacecraft, Hakuto-R, last month. The Tokyo-based company lost contact with the Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander after attempting to achieve the world’s first commercial soft-landing on the lunar surface.

The incident represents a setback for Japan’s space program, following previous challenges such as the destruction of the H3 rocket by the national space agency and the failure of the Epsilon rocket launch. However, ispace remains determined to learn from this experience and make improvements for future missions.

Cause of Failure and Plans for Improvement:

ispace Inc. has attributed the unsuccessful moon landing to an altitude miscalculation that resulted in the spacecraft running out of fuel. The company aims to rectify this issue by implementing necessary improvements for its upcoming second and third missions. Takeshi Hakamada, CEO of ispace, emphasized the importance of acquiring knowledge and expertise from these missions to ensure stable commercialization in the future. The focus lies on enhancing their capabilities and advancing their mission objectives.

Evolving Landscape: Private Players in Space Exploration:

The space exploration landscape has evolved significantly, with private companies emerging as key players in the new space race. Previously, space exploration was primarily dominated by national space agencies. However, the United States, its allies, and China have witnessed the rise of numerous private entities competing in space exploration.

Notably, NASA has relied on companies like SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to transport payloads into orbit. Additionally, NASA recently awarded a lunar lander contract to a team led by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, highlighting the increasing ambition of private players.

ispace’s Future Missions and Collaborations:

Despite the setback, ispace is determined to continue its lunar exploration endeavors. The company has scheduled a second mission for 2024, involving another M1 lander that will carry its own rover. Furthermore, ispace plans to collaborate with U.S.-based space software developer Draper starting in 2025.

This partnership aims to facilitate the delivery of NASA payloads to the moon, with the ultimate goal of establishing a permanently staffed lunar colony by 2040. These ambitious plans reflect ispace’s long-term commitment to lunar exploration and the broader vision of human presence on the moon.