ispace Launches Private Spacecraft to the Moon
Staff Editor Today marks a historic moment in space exploration, as Japanese firm ispace prepares to land their private spacecraft on the moon. The Hakuto-R lander will touch down at 4:40 pm BST today, making it the first commercial mission to reach lunar orbit and attempt a landing.
The mission has been years in the making for ispace, who have worked tirelessly with partners, such as JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and Team HAKUTO – an international team of engineers from Japan, Germany, and Thailand – to make this dream a reality. The spacecraft was launched into Earth’s orbit back in May 2020 before being sent off toward its destination two months later.
This feat of engineering could open up new opportunities for further exploration by both public organizations like NASA and ESA but also private companies like SpaceX or Blue Origin looking to expand our knowledge beyond what we already know about our solar system. It may even pave the way for future colonization efforts if all goes well!
Regardless of what comes next though, today marks an incredible milestone that should be celebrated by everyone involved; one small step closer to unlocking some of nature’s greatest secrets!
Read more at New Scientist
