Events

ispace RESILIENCE Lander attempted Moon touchdown

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

ispace carried out a historic lunar mission to expand commercial access to the Moon, with its ispace RESILIENCE lander targeting a Moon touchdown on June 6th, 2025. Although the lander successfully launched and began its descent, the mission ended in failure when communication was lost shortly before touchdown, resulting in a crash.

Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ispace, inc. (TOKYO: 9348), issued a public statement ahead of a major milestone for the global space exploration community. The Japanese company, recognized for its pioneering efforts in private lunar missions, was preparing for its second lunar landing attempt as part of its ongoing HAKUTO-R program.

On June 6, 2025, Japan Standard Time, the Mission 2 lunar lander, named RESILIENCE, completed a successful launch and descent phase in pursuit of a soft landing on the Moon's surface. However, the mission ultimately ended in failure when communication was lost during the final moments of descent, and the lander is believed to have crashed. This marked just over two years since ispace’s initial lunar landing attempt in 2023, which had captured global attention as the first privately operated mission of its kind.

Learning from the past to shape the future: ispace RESILIENCE Lander attempted Moon touchdown on June 6th, 2025

On April 26, 2023, ispace’s Mission 1 became the first commercial lunar landing attempt carried out by a private company. The mission represented a significant leap forward in the privatization and commercialization of lunar exploration. However, final communications with the lander were lost just moments before it reached the Moon's surface. Despite the setback, the mission was widely regarded as a groundbreaking achievement in terms of technology, international collaboration, and data collection.

Rather than retreating in the face of adversity, ispace has drawn inspiration from its earlier experience. According to Hakamada, the company has used the lessons learned from Mission 1 to refine its engineering, improve mission planning, and increase the likelihood of a successful lunar landing on its second attempt.

"The challenge we faced in Mission 1 did not deter us, it energized us. RESILIENCE represents not only the name of our lander but also the mindset we have adopted as a team. Our goal has always been to advance humanity’s ability to operate on the Moon, and we see this mission as a crucial step in that journey," Hakamada explained in his prepared statement.

RESILIENCE Lunar Lander

Mission 2: SMBC x HAKUTO-R VENTURE MOON

Mission 2, titled SMBC x HAKUTO-R VENTURE MOON, was part of ispace’s broader campaign to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon through the development of the so-called cislunar economy. This term referred to the creation of a commercial and social infrastructure that economically connects Earth and the Moon. The long-term vision encompassed everything from scientific research to transportation of goods, and ultimately, human presence.

The RESILIENCE lander was expected to demonstrate high-precision landing capabilities and validate the transport of customer payloads, both critical components of ispace’s business model. By offering low-cost, high-frequency transportation services to the Moon, ispace aimed to lower the barrier to entry for governments, research institutions, and private enterprises seeking to conduct activities beyond Earth’s orbit.

"The success of this mission is not an endpoint, but a beginning. It is a steppingstone toward our long-term goal: the establishment of a cislunar economy that can serve as a foundation for sustaining life on Earth," said Hakamada.

A shared journey with global support

In his message, Hakamada extended gratitude to the many stakeholders who have contributed to ispace’s progress. These include the company’s employees and their families, shareholders, commercial partners, payload clients, and various national and international governmental bodies. Of particular note are the ongoing contributions of the HAKUTO-R program partners, whose support has enabled ispace to continually innovate and iterate on its mission framework.

"The road to the Moon is not traveled alone. This mission is a collaborative endeavor, powered by the collective efforts of thousands who share in our dream. We are humbled by the continued belief in our mission and our company," Hakamada stated.

He also emphasized the broader societal impact of these missions. By making lunar exploration more accessible, ispace seeks to inspire future generations and democratize space exploration. "Every mission that reaches the Moon brings us closer to opening outer space to more people," he noted.

Global broadcast and public participation

The RESILIENCE lunar landing attempt was broadcast globally on Friday, June 6, 2025 (JST), with the livestream beginning at approximately 3:15 a.m. JST / 18:15 UTC. The landing attempt occurred around 4:17 a.m. JST / 19:17 UTC. You can watch a full replay of the livestream in the video below.