A Japanese venture firm has successfully launched what could become the first privately-funded spacecraft to land on the moon.
The uncrewed lunar lander was developed by Tokyo-based startup ispace. The rocket carrying the lander was launched from Florida by US firm SpaceX at 7:38 UTC on Sunday.
The spacecraft was separated from the rocket 47 minutes after liftoff. It will cruise toward the moon, which is about 380,000 kilometers from the Earth.
It is expected to touch down on the moon's surface at the end of April next year. If successful, it will be the first time for a private company to land a spacecraft on the moon.
The launch had been postponed for about a month for additional inspections.
The lander is carrying small robots developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and other entities. It will conduct surface probes and experiment with various kinds of technology.
Research papers released in recent years suggest that there is water on the moon. It is now considered to be a potential base for human activity in space.
International competition in the field of space development has been intensifying with projects such as the US-led Artemis lunar exploration program.
Private businesses are also trying to expand the areas in space that can be used for commercial purposes.
The planned lunar landing could usher in a new era for business opportunities on the moon.
The uncrewed lunar lander was developed by Tokyo-based startup ispace. The rocket carrying the lander was launched from Florida by US firm SpaceX at 7:38 UTC on Sunday.
The spacecraft was separated from the rocket 47 minutes after liftoff. It will cruise toward the moon, which is about 380,000 kilometers from the Earth.
It is expected to touch down on the moon's surface at the end of April next year. If successful, it will be the first time for a private company to land a spacecraft on the moon.
The launch had been postponed for about a month for additional inspections.
The lander is carrying small robots developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and other entities. It will conduct surface probes and experiment with various kinds of technology.
Research papers released in recent years suggest that there is water on the moon. It is now considered to be a potential base for human activity in space.
International competition in the field of space development has been intensifying with projects such as the US-led Artemis lunar exploration program.
Private businesses are also trying to expand the areas in space that can be used for commercial purposes.
The planned lunar landing could usher in a new era for business opportunities on the moon.
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Summary
Successfully launched by Japanese startup ispace, this privately-funded spacecraft aims to become the first to land on the moon, carried by SpaceX's rocket. The uncrewed lunar lander is expected to touch down on the moon's surface in April 2023. It will conduct experiments and explore for water, a
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ID: cd3b355e-58c1-4ce2-bbe5-90f4f13aab9b
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221211_16/
Date: Dec. 11, 2022
Created: 2022/12/11 20:21
Updated: 2025/12/09 10:32
Last Read: 2022/12/12 07:44