HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander experiences communication loss during final approach

The HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander, which was set to touch down on the surface of the Moon, has experienced communication loss between the lander and Mission Control Center.

It has been confirmed that Success 9 of the Mission Milestones, successfully landing on the Moon and establishing communication, is not achievable.

Our HAKUTO-R M1 lunar lander was scheduled to land on the surface of the Moon at approx. 1:40 (JST). As of 8:00 today (JST), communication between the lander at the Mission Control Center was lost and it has been determined that Success 9 of the milestones is not achievable.(1/3)
— ispace (@ispace_inc) April 26, 2023

The lander was in a vertical position as it carried out the final approach to the lunar surface, but shortly after the scheduled landing time, no data was received indicating a touchdown.

Based on the data, it has been determined that there is a high probability that the lander made a hard landing on the Moon's surface. Despite this setback, the mission has achieved Success 1 through Success 8, and the data and know-how acquired during the operation will enable a future successful lunar landing mission.

Mission 2 has been scheduled for 2024 and Mission 3 for 2025.