Ispace's Resilience lunar lander is preparing for its scheduled landing attempt on June 5, 2025, in Mare Frigoris. This follows the lander's successful entry into lunar orbit on May 7, 2025. The mission marks Japan's second attempt at a soft landing on the lunar surface.
The Resilience lander, launched on January 15, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carries five science and technology payloads, including the Tenacious micro-rover. Tenacious, built by ispace's European subsidiary, is designed to collect lunar soil under a NASA contract and also features the "Moonhouse" art piece by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg.
A successful landing would be a significant achievement for ispace and Japan, advancing private lunar exploration and international collaboration in space. The mission aims to demonstrate technology for reliable lunar transportation and data services, contributing to future lunar missions and potential resource utilization.