Laser Miscalculation Sends Japanese Lunar Lander Resilience Crashing
A laser navigation error led to the crash of ispace's Resilience lunar lander. The mishap marked ispace's second unsuccessful moon mission in two years. The company plans to continue its lunar exploration with a third attempt in 2027, in collaboration with NASA, followed by a fourth mission.
- Country:
- Japan
A critical misstep in laser navigation technology has caused the Japanese company ispace's lunar lander, Resilience, to fatally crash into the moon. The incident is the company's second failed attempt in as many years.
Resilience, which targeted the moon's Mare Frigoris—known as the Sea of Cold—was equipped with a laser range finder that incorrectly gauged the spacecraft's distance from the lunar surface. The miscalculation resulted in the craft descending at a dangerous speed of 138 feet per second, ultimately ending in an unsuccessful landing observed via NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Despite previous setbacks, ispace remains steadfast in its mission. The company plans another lunar landing attempt in 2027, with cooperation from NASA, and is preparing for a fourth mission. Ispsace's CEO, Takeshi Hakamada, emphasized the company's commitment to overcoming challenges and winning back trust from customers.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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