# SORA-Q

> Japanese tiny lunar rover, lost in a landing failure by the Hakuto-R M1 spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q124658260](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124658260)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sora-q-q124658260

## Summary
SORA-Q is a tiny Japanese lunar rover that was lost during a landing failure of the Hakuto-R M1 spacecraft on April 25, 2023. Developed through a collaboration including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tomy, Sony Group, and Doshisha University, it had a mass of 250 grams and a diameter of 8 centimetres.

## Key Facts
- SORA-Q is a tiny Japanese lunar rover.
- It was lost on April 25, 2023, during a landing failure of the Hakuto-R M1 spacecraft.
- SORA-Q has a mass of 250 grams.
- Its diameter is 8 centimetres.
- It was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tomy, Sony Group, and Doshisha University.
- SORA-Q launched on December 11, 2022, at 07:38:13 UTC.
- The launch vehicle used was a Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1073.5).
- The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.

## FAQs
### Q: What is SORA-Q?
A: SORA-Q is a tiny Japanese lunar rover. It was developed by a collaboration between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tomy, Sony Group, and Doshisha University.

### Q: What happened to SORA-Q?
A: SORA-Q was lost on April 25, 2023, during a landing failure of the Hakuto-R M1 spacecraft. Its destruction occurred in Lacus Somniorum.

### Q: When and where did SORA-Q launch?
A: SORA-Q launched on December 11, 2022, at 07:38:13 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. It was carried by a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle.

### Q: Who developed SORA-Q?
A: SORA-Q was developed by a collaborative team comprising the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Tomy, Sony Group, and Doshisha University.

### Q: What are the physical specifications of SORA-Q?
A: SORA-Q has a mass of 250 grams and a diameter of 8 centimetres.

## Why It Matters
SORA-Q represents an innovative effort in miniaturized lunar exploration technology, being an exceptionally tiny Japanese lunar rover with a mass of just 250 grams and a diameter of 8 centimetres. Its development by a diverse consortium, including the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), toy manufacturer Tomy, Sony Group, and Doshisha University, highlights a unique collaborative model for space innovation. This partnership blended public research with private sector expertise, demonstrating a potential pathway for future space development. Although SORA-Q was ultimately lost during the landing failure of the Hakuto-R M1 spacecraft, its mission underscored the ambitious goals of lunar exploration and the inherent risks involved in such endeavors. The project aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of compact, lightweight rovers for future lunar missions, potentially paving the way for more agile and cost-effective exploration methods. Its fate serves as a reminder of the complexities of space travel and the continuous learning process involved in pushing the boundaries of human and robotic reach into the cosmos.

## Notable For
- Being an exceptionally tiny Japanese lunar rover.
- Its extremely small size, with a mass of 250 grams and a diameter of 8 centimetres.
- Its unique development through a collaboration between a national space agency (JAXA), a toy manufacturer (Tomy), a technology conglomerate (Sony Group), and a university (Doshisha University).
- Its involvement in the Hakuto-R M1 mission, which ended in a landing failure on the lunar surface.

## Body

### Overview
SORA-Q is a tiny Japanese lunar rover. It is classified as a model of Japanese lunar rover and is considered a former entity following its loss.

### Development and Specifications
SORA-Q was developed through a collaborative effort involving several key organizations:
*   Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
*   Tomy
*   Sony Group
*   Doshisha University

The rover possesses specific physical characteristics:
*   **Mass:** 250 grams
*   **Diameter:** 8 centimetres

### Mission and Launch
SORA-Q was part of a lunar mission that commenced with its launch on December 11, 2022, at 07:38:13 UTC.
*   **Launch Point:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5, specifically identified as B1073.5

The launch carried multiple payloads, including the Hakuto-R M1 lander and the Rashid rover.

### Fate
SORA-Q experienced a significant event of destruction on April 25, 2023. This event occurred in the lunar region known as Lacus Somniorum. The rover was lost as a result of a landing failure of the Hakuto-R M1 spacecraft.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.planetary.org/space-missions/slim-japans-precision-lunar-lander)
2. [Source](https://global.jaxa.jp/activity/pr/jaxas/no088/03.html)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/04/25/science/ispace-moon-landing-japan)
5. [Source](https://www.inside.com.tw/article/31438-ispace-HAKUTO-R-landing-moon)
6. [Source](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/japans-little-moon-toy-camera-065747821.html)
7. [Source](https://www.jaxa.jp/projects/files/youtube/sas/20220315_slim_lev_document03.pdf)