Japanese probe’s second straight attempt at moon landing a failure

Home Space Japanese probe’s second straight attempt at moon landing a failure

Space

By Chu E. - June 11, 2025

Japan’s ambitious effort to become a key player in lunar exploration faced a setback as ispace’s private lunar lander failed to achieve a safe touchdown on the moon. This marks the company’s second consecutive unsuccessful attempt to softly land a probe, underlining the formidable technical challenges in space exploration. The recent crash not only delays Japan’s hopes of a successful private moon mission but also highlights the hurdles that private companies face in the global race to the lunar surface. The quest for lunar success continues, undeterred.

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1. ispace: Japan’s Private Lunar Pioneer

Japanese probe’s second straight attempt at moon landing a failure — The ispace logo stands out on the wall of a bustling Japanese mission control room filled with focused engineers. | Image source: ispace-inc.com

ispace, headquartered in Tokyo, has emerged as a leading force in Japan’s commercial space sector. Driven by a vision to expand humanity’s presence beyond Earth, the company aims to develop sustainable lunar transportation and resource utilization. ispace’s innovative approach includes partnerships with international space agencies and private clients. Although its recent missions have faced setbacks, the company’s determination to pioneer lunar exploration remains strong, fueling Japan’s aspirations for a future where the moon plays a central role in space industry.

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2. The Ambitious ‘Resilience’ Lander

The ‘Resilience’ lander was designed as ispace’s answer to previous setbacks, incorporating advanced navigation and autonomous landing technologies. Compact yet robust, the lander aimed to demonstrate significant progress over its predecessor, which crashed during its descent. Its mission was to deliver commercial and scientific payloads to the lunar surface, showcasing ispace’s growing technical expertise. The Resilience project symbolized both technological evolution and the company’s unwavering commitment to overcoming the formidable obstacles of lunar exploration.

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3. Timeline of the Mission

The mission began with a January launch, sending the Resilience lander on a circuitous route to the moon. After several weeks navigating deep space, the probe achieved a critical milestone by successfully entering lunar orbit. Over the following days, mission controllers prepared for descent, carefully monitoring every maneuver. In the final moments, the lander initiated its landing sequence, but contact was lost, and the mission ended in failure just as the craft neared the lunar surface.

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4. Communication Loss and Crash Landing

In the tense final approach, communications with Resilience abruptly ceased moments before its scheduled touchdown. Mission controllers waited anxiously for a signal confirming a safe landing, but none came. This sudden silence led ispace to declare the mission a failure, with all signs pointing to a crash landing on the lunar surface. The loss underscored the delicate, high-stakes nature of lunar operations, where even minor miscalculations can result in mission-ending outcomes.

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5. Suspected Laser Altimeter Failure

Initial findings suggest a malfunction in the laser altimeter, a key system responsible for measuring the lander’s altitude during descent. Without accurate altitude data, the Resilience lander was unable to slow down or stabilize itself, leading to an uncontrolled approach and eventual crash. This technical failure highlights the crucial role of reliable sensors and real-time navigation in lunar missions, where precision is essential for a safe landing.

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6. The ‘Tenacious’ Mini-Rover and Its Role

Aboard the Resilience lander was the European-built mini-rover ‘Tenacious’, developed to perform critical scientific tasks. Equipped with a high-definition camera, Tenacious was set to capture detailed surface imagery and analyze lunar terrain. Its primary mission included collecting lunar soil samples for future NASA studies. The loss of the lander meant this cutting-edge rover never deployed, representing a setback for international scientific collaboration and the pursuit of new data from the moon’s surface.

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7. CEO Takeshi Hakamada’s Response

Following the mission’s failure, ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada publicly apologized and expressed deep regret for the setback. He reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to learning from mistakes and pushing forward.

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8. Lessons Learned from the First Failed Attempt

After its initial lunar crash two years ago, ispace conducted an extensive review to identify technical and procedural weaknesses. This analysis led to significant design upgrades, improved navigation software, and more robust risk management for the Resilience mission. The company’s approach demonstrated a willingness to adapt and innovate, using setbacks as valuable learning opportunities to enhance future lunar landing strategies and increase the chances of ultimate success.

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9. The Growing Role of Private Space Companies

Since 2019, the landscape of lunar exploration has shifted dramatically, with private companies playing an increasingly vital role. Firms like ispace, along with international counterparts such as SpaceX and Astrobotic, are pioneering commercial lunar missions once dominated by government agencies. This new era fosters competition, innovation, and global collaboration, accelerating technological advancements and expanding the possibilities for science, commerce, and industry on the moon.

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10. Financial Stakes and Funding Limitations

Despite its ambitions, ispace faces significant financial hurdles, as lunar missions demand vast resources and technological investment. Funding limitations have put pressure on the company to deliver results and maintain investor confidence. Engineering leaders have stressed the importance of learning from each setback, warning that repeated failures could jeopardize future opportunities. Securing sustainable funding remains a key challenge for ispace and other private players seeking to establish a foothold in lunar exploration.

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11. Mare Frigoris: The Chosen Landing Site

The Resilience mission targeted Mare Frigoris, also known as the Sea of Cold, for its attempted lunar landing. This region, located near the moon’s northern plains, was selected for its relatively flat surface, which offers safer landing conditions and reduces risk. In addition to its favorable terrain, Mare Frigoris holds scientific interest due to its unique geology and potential to reveal more about the moon’s history and composition.

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12. Comparison with Other Recent Private Landers

ispace’s setback echoes the broader challenges facing private lunar ventures worldwide. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost and Intuitive Machines’ landers have both attempted moon missions, with mixed results. While Intuitive Machines recently achieved a successful landing, Firefly’s Blue Ghost is still preparing for its debut mission. These missions underscore the high degree of difficulty and risk in lunar exploration, even as private companies make significant technological strides in pursuit of lunar milestones.

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13. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost: A Success Story

In sharp contrast to Resilience’s fate, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost successfully landed on the moon in March 2024. Sharing a launch window with ispace’s mission, Blue Ghost’s achievement marked a significant milestone for private lunar exploration. Its smooth touchdown not only showcased Firefly’s engineering capabilities but also inspired renewed confidence in the potential for commercial missions to achieve reliable lunar access and deliver valuable scientific payloads.

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14. Intuitive Machines: A Mixed Outcome

Intuitive Machines achieved a major landmark by landing its Nova-C lander on the moon, becoming one of the few private firms to reach the surface. However, the mission encountered problems shortly after touchdown, resulting in the loss of operational capability and limited scientific output. Despite the setback, the mission was recognized as a significant step forward for private lunar efforts. Further details can be found in this Reuters report.

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15. The Role of NASA and International Partnerships

ispace’s mission reflected a spirit of global cooperation, carrying payloads for NASA and other international partners. Collaborative projects aimed to advance lunar science, share resources, and support the growing lunar economy. Through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, ispace and other firms are helping build an international framework for sustainable moon exploration, emphasizing the importance of cross-border alliances in tackling the immense challenges of space.

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16. Engineering Challenges of Lunar Landings

Landing on the moon remains one of the most technically demanding feats in space exploration. Engineers must contend with complex navigation, unpredictable terrain, and sudden communication blackouts during descent. The moon’s lack of atmosphere means no aerodynamic braking, forcing landers to rely entirely on propulsion and precise guidance. Even minor errors in altitude measurements or thruster control can result in disaster, making each attempt a true test of engineering ingenuity and perseverance.

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17. The Economic Promise of the Lunar Economy

The lunar economy is driving private companies to race for a foothold on the moon. Ambitions include mining valuable resources like water ice and rare minerals, as well as building infrastructure to support future human and robotic missions. This commercial push is expected to open new markets and revenue streams, making lunar exploration a high-stakes investment. For more insights, see this CNBC analysis.

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18. Resilience in the Face of Setbacks

Perseverance is at the heart of every space mission, and ispace embodied this spirit by naming their lander “Resilience.” Despite facing two consecutive failures, the company remains committed to learning and improving with each attempt. This determination reflects a broader truth in lunar exploration: progress often comes through overcoming adversity, inspiring future missions to persist even when immediate success proves elusive.

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19. Upcoming Private Lunar Missions

The competitive field of private lunar exploration is set to grow, with companies like Blue Origin and Astrobotic Technology preparing their own ambitious moon landings. Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander and Astrobotic’s Peregrine and Griffin missions aim to deliver science payloads, commercial cargo, and even future infrastructure to the lunar surface. These forthcoming ventures, detailed in SpaceNews, promise to accelerate the development of a thriving commercial presence on the moon.

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20. Government vs. Private Moon Landings: A Track Record

Historically, government space agencies have enjoyed a higher success rate with robotic lunar landings compared to their private counterparts. To date, only five countries—the United States, Soviet Union, China, India, and Japan—have achieved soft landings on the moon. Private missions, while advancing rapidly, still face steep learning curves and technical risks. This contrast underscores the complexity of lunar exploration and the exceptional track record of national space programs.

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21. Japan’s Place in Lunar Exploration History

Japan has steadily expanded its profile in space exploration, building on decades of satellite launches, asteroid missions, and scientific research. Its recent attempts at lunar landings reflect a growing ambition to join the ranks of leading spacefaring nations. While setbacks persist, Japan’s efforts through ispace and government agencies demonstrate a commitment to innovation and collaboration, strengthening its status as a key player in the new era of lunar exploration.

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22. The Future of Human Lunar Missions

Beyond robotic landers, the next frontier is human lunar exploration. NASA’s Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon by mid-decade, establishing a long-term presence and paving the way for future Mars missions. Meanwhile, China has announced plans for a crewed lunar landing by 2030. These bold initiatives signal a new era of international competition and collaboration for humanity’s return to the lunar surface.

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23. Cost of the Mission and Commercial Pressures

The Resilience mission represented a substantial financial commitment, with exact costs undisclosed but widely believed to be considerable. Such high-stakes investment places enormous commercial pressure on ispace and similar ventures to deliver technical and financial returns. The need to secure funding, attract partners, and demonstrate progress intensifies the challenge, underscoring the risky yet potentially lucrative nature of the private lunar exploration industry.

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24. The Significance of the Moon’s North vs. South Poles

ispace chose the moon’s northern region for its relatively smooth terrain and lower risk compared to the rugged, shadowed south pole—where recent missions have focused due to potential water ice deposits. While the south pole offers rich scientific rewards, its hazards increase the likelihood of failure. The north’s flatter landscapes provide a safer testing ground, enabling private landers to refine technology before tackling more challenging lunar regions.

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25. What’s Next for ispace?

Despite recent setbacks, ispace is already preparing for its next chapter. The company is developing a larger, more advanced lunar lander aimed at delivering heavier payloads and supporting more complex missions. A future launch, planned in collaboration with NASA, is targeted for as early as 2027. These upcoming projects reflect ispace’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its determination to ultimately achieve a successful lunar landing.

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Conclusion

The failure of ispace’s Resilience lander highlights both the immense challenges and relentless spirit driving today’s private lunar missions. Each setback brings vital lessons, shaping strategies for future success and fostering innovation across the industry. As private companies and international partners press forward, the dream of harnessing the moon’s resources and opening a new era of exploration endures. Resilience, persistence, and collaboration will remain at the heart of humanity’s quest to conquer the lunar frontier.

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