NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has unveiled striking images of the crash site left by Tokyo-based ispace's failed lunar mission. The photographs, released Friday, reveal a distinctive dark smudge in Mare Frigoris – a volcanic plain in the moon's northern reaches – where the Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander and its mini rover made their unintended final descent.
The spacecraft, named Resilience, met its fate during a landing attempt on April 25. Lunar scientists note the faint halo surrounding the impact zone likely formed from lunar regolith displaced during the high-speed collision. This marks ispace's second lunar mission failure following a similar incident in 2021.
Company officials announced plans to detail technical findings during a press conference next week. The ill-fated mission launched from Cape Canaveral in January as part of growing commercial interest in lunar exploration.
While unsuccessful, the mission contributes to mounting knowledge about lunar surface conditions and landing challenges. NASA's continued orbital surveillance provides crucial data for both government agencies and private companies aiming to establish sustainable lunar operations.
