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Hakuto-R Mission 2

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Hakuto-R Mission 2
Full-size model of Hakuto-R
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
Operatorispace
Websiteispace-inc.com/m2
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftHakuto-R M2
Spacecraft typeLunar lander
Manufacturerispace
Start of mission
Launch dateDecember 2024 (planned)
RocketFalcon 9 Block 5
ContractorSpaceX

Hakuto-R Mission 2 is a robotic lunar landing mission planned for December 2024.[1] Developed by ispace, the lander will deliver a new micro rover manufactured by the company, and other payloads. Like Hakuto-R Mission 1 this mission will serve as a technology demonstration, with the final goal of providing reliable transportation and data services on the moon. The lander is named Resilience.[2]

Background

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The project began development after the Hakuto-R Mission 1 in 2023. The mission plans to use the same overall design with upgrades from the flight data collected in mission 1.[3]

Lander specifications

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The Resilience lander will stand 2.5 by 2.3 meters and has a weight of 340 kg. The lander will include a micro rover that is planned to perform an ISRU demonstration.[4]

Mission

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The mission is planned to launch no earlier than December 2024.[5] The lander will also carry a memory disk developed by the UNESCO organization carrying 275 languages and other cultural artifacts.[6] The lander completed successful vacuum testing in June 2024.[7] In August 2024, the rover which will be integrated with the lander was completed.[8]

Landing site

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Mare Frigoris is the dark band extending from upper left to lower right.

The intended landing site for mission is in Mare Frigoris, a location allowing continuous line-of-sight radio communication from Earth.[5]

Rover

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The mission includes a 5 kg (11 lb) rover designed and manufactured in Luxembourg which will explore the area around the landing site, after being lowered to the lunar surface from the lander.[9]

Payloads

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In addition to the rover the lander will carry payloads from Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Euglena Co., National Central University and Bandai Namco Research Institute, Inc.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Foust, Jeff (12 September 2024). "Second ispace lunar lander planned for launch in December". SpaceNews. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  2. ^ "ispace Announces Mission 2 with Unveiling of Micro Rover Design". ispace. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  3. ^ Dixit, Mrigakshi. "Japan's ispace aims for moon landing in 2024 with upgraded lander". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  4. ^ Alamalhodaei, Aria (2023-11-16). "Despite setbacks, ispace to launch second moon mission in Q4 2024". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  5. ^ a b c "ispace Announces Launch Timing, RESILIENCE Lander Progress, and Planned Lunar Landing Zone During Mission 2 Update Press Conference". 2024-09-12.
  6. ^ Meredith Garofalo (2024-05-08). "Private lunar lander to carry 'memory disk' of 275 human languages to the moon in 2024". Space.com. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  7. ^ "ispace RESILIENCE Lunar Lander Successfully Achieves Testing Milestone in Preparation for Mission 2". ispace. Retrieved 2024-06-30.
  8. ^ NEWS, KYODO. "ispace's lunar rover arrives in Japan to prepare for 2nd space probe". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
  9. ^ "ispace-EUROPE announces Completion of First European Designed, Manufactured, and Assembled Lunar Micro Rover". 2024-07-25.