ispace's HAKUTO-R M1 Lunar Lander Successfully Enters Moon Orbit

Tokyo-based lunar exploration company ispace announced today that its HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander has successfully entered orbit around the Moon. The lander performed its first lunar orbit insertion manoeuvre at 10:24 (JST) on March 21, 2023, under the direction of ispace engineers at the HAKUTO-R Mission Control Center in Nihonbashi.

After a controlled burn from the lander’s main propulsion system lasting several minutes, the manoeuvre was successfully completed. All orbital control operations for Mission 1 have been completed as planned following launch. While the lander has performed multiple deep space manoeuvre operations, this manoeuvre represents the longest burn performed by the propulsion system during the mission.

These functions during the approximately three-month period verify that the lander performs as designed and demonstrates the high operational capability of ispace engineers to perform long-term mission operations. The achievement demonstrates ispace’s ability to successfully deliver spacecraft and payloads into a stable lunar orbit.

The successful insertion of the lander into lunar orbit is an important step toward establishing a payload transportation service. It demonstrates that ispace is capable of transporting customer payloads to orbit around the Moon. Future ispace missions will involve deployment of satellites into lunar orbit.

Currently, ispace is in active negotiations with several global companies regarding future lunar missions. Many of these companies have identified demand not only for lunar landings but also for transportation to orbit around the Moon.

During Mission 3, two relay satellites are planned to be injected into lunar orbit to establish communications with the lander. This will enable ispace to transport customer payloads to orbit around the Moon.