# Hakuto-R M1

> failed Japanese private lunar landing mission

**Wikidata**: [Q115029045](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115029045)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuto-R_Mission_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hakuto-r-m1

## Summary
Hakuto-R M1 was a failed Japanese private lunar landing mission operated by ispace Inc. It launched on December 11, 2022, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket but crashed into the Moon's surface on April 25, 2023, after a communication failure during descent.

## Key Facts
- **Mission status**: Failed lunar landing (crashed on April 25, 2023)
- **Operator**: ispace Inc (Japan)
- **Launch date**: December 11, 2022, at 07:38:13 UTC
- **Launch vehicle**: SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (serial B1073.5)
- **Launch site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40
- **Manufacturers**: ispace Inc, JAL Engineering, ArianeGroup
- **Payload**: SORA-Q lunar rover and Rashid rover (UAE)
- **Mission type**: Private lunar landing attempt
- **Landing site**: Lacus Somniorum (Moon)
- **Followed by**: Hakuto-R M2 (another failed mission)
- **Classifications**: Lunar lander, former entity

## FAQs
### Q: What was Hakuto-R M1's mission objective?
A: Hakuto-R M1 aimed to be the first private mission to land on the Moon, carrying the SORA-Q rover and the UAE's Rashid rover. However, it failed during descent.

### Q: Why did Hakuto-R M1 fail?
A: The mission failed due to a communication failure during the landing phase, causing the lander to crash into the Moon's surface.

### Q: Who operated Hakuto-R M1?
A: The mission was operated by ispace Inc, a Japanese private aerospace company.

### Q: What was the significance of Hakuto-R M1?
A: It was part of Japan's efforts to become the fourth country to achieve a soft lunar landing, though it ultimately failed.

### Q: What happened to the payloads on Hakuto-R M1?
A: The SORA-Q and Rashid rovers were destroyed when the lander crashed.

## Why It Matters
Hakuto-R M1 was a pivotal attempt by ispace Inc to demonstrate private lunar landing capabilities, marking Japan's first independent mission to the Moon. While the mission failed, it provided valuable data for future attempts. The crash highlighted challenges in autonomous landing systems and communication reliability during descent. The mission also carried the UAE's Rashid rover, showcasing international collaboration in lunar exploration. Despite the failure, Hakuto-R M1 contributed to the growing private sector's role in space exploration, paving the way for future missions.

## Notable For
- First private lunar landing attempt by a Japanese company
- Carried the UAE's Rashid rover, the first Emirati lunar mission
- Demonstrated collaboration between Japan and the UAE in lunar exploration
- Provided data for future private lunar landing missions
- Highlighted challenges in autonomous landing systems and communication reliability

## Body
### Mission Overview
Hakuto-R M1 was a lunar lander mission developed by ispace Inc, a Japanese private aerospace company. The mission aimed to achieve the first private soft landing on the Moon, carrying the SORA-Q rover and the UAE's Rashid rover. Launched on December 11, 2022, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the lander was part of Japan's efforts to become the fourth country to achieve a soft lunar landing.

### Launch and Trajectory
The mission launched from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 at 07:38:13 UTC on December 11, 2022. The lander was manufactured by ispace Inc, with contributions from JAL Engineering and ArianeGroup. The Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, serial number B1073.5, successfully placed the lander into Earth orbit.

### Mission Failure
Despite a successful launch, Hakuto-R M1 encountered a communication failure during the descent phase, leading to a crash on the Moon's surface on April 25, 2023. The landing site was Lacus Somniorum, a region on the Moon's near side. The failure was attributed to issues with the lander's autonomous navigation and communication systems.

### Payloads
The mission carried two rovers:
- **SORA-Q**: A Japanese lunar rover developed by ispace Inc.
- **Rashid**: The UAE's first lunar rover, designed to study the Moon's surface and plasma environment.

### Legacy and Follow-Up
Hakuto-R M1 was followed by Hakuto-R M2, another failed mission. The mission provided valuable insights into private lunar landing challenges and contributed to the growing private sector's role in space exploration. Despite the failure, the mission highlighted the potential of international collaboration in lunar exploration.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Hakuto-R M1",
  "description": "Failed Japanese private lunar landing mission operated by ispace Inc.",
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/hakuto-r-m1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/04/25/science/ispace-moon-landing-japan)
4. [Source](https://www.inside.com.tw/article/31438-ispace-HAKUTO-R-landing-moon)