# Yaoki

> Japanese lunar rover carried aboard Intuitive Machines-2

**Wikidata**: [Q107463179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107463179)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaoki)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yaoki

## Summary
Yaoki is a Japanese lunar rover developed by Dymon that was carried aboard the Intuitive Machines-2 mission to explore the lunar surface. This small, lightweight robot represents Japan's contribution to international lunar exploration efforts.

## Key Facts
- Yaoki is a Japanese lunar rover with a mass of 498 grams
- It was developed by Dymon, a Japanese space technology company
- The rover has dimensions of 15.0 cm width, 15.0 cm length, and 10.0 cm height
- Yaoki was launched on February 27, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
- It was carried aboard the Intuitive Machines-2 mission using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket
- Yaoki is classified as both a lunar rover and an autonomous robot
- The rover is represented on social media with handles like "yaoki_space_g" on Twitter and "yaoki_space" on Instagram

## FAQs
### Q: What is Yaoki?
A: Yaoki is a Japanese lunar rover developed by Dymon that was carried aboard the Intuitive Machines-2 mission to explore the lunar surface. It's a small, lightweight robot designed for space exploration.

### Q: When was Yaoki launched?
A: Yaoki was launched on February 27, 2025, at 00:16:30 from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. It was part of the Intuitive Machines-2 mission that aimed to deliver payloads to the Moon.

### Q: What makes Yaoki unique compared to other lunar rovers?
A: Yaoki is notable for its compact size (15.0 cm × 15.0 cm × 10.0 cm) and lightweight design (498 grams), making it one of the smaller lunar exploration vehicles. It represents Japan's contribution to international lunar exploration efforts.

## Why It Matters
Yaoki represents Japan's increasing involvement in lunar exploration and international space cooperation. As part of the Intuitive Machines-2 mission, it contributes to the growing trend of private sector participation in space exploration. The rover's compact design demonstrates advancements in miniaturization for space technology, potentially enabling more cost-effective lunar missions. By successfully deploying Yaoki, Japan joins a select group of nations contributing to lunar surface exploration, enhancing global knowledge about the Moon's environment and potential resources. This mission also paves the way for future collaborative lunar projects and demonstrates the capabilities of Japanese space technology on an international stage.

## Notable For
- Being one of the smallest lunar rovers with dimensions of just 15.0 cm × 15.0 cm × 10.0 cm
- Having an exceptionally lightweight design at only 498 grams among lunar exploration vehicles
- Representing Japan's first dedicated contribution to a lunar rover mission through international collaboration
- Being part of the private sector-led Intuitive Machines-2 mission, showcasing the expanding role of non-government entities in space exploration

## Body
### Development and Design
Yaoki is a lunar rover developed by Dymon, a Japanese company specializing in space technology. The rover features a compact design with dimensions of 15.0 cm width, 15.0 cm length, and 10.0 cm height. It weighs only 498 grams, making it one of the lightweight lunar exploration vehicles. Yaoki is classified as both a lunar rover and an autonomous robot, indicating its versatility in design and function.

### Mission Details
Yaoki was launched on February 27, 2025, at 00:16:30 from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. The rover was carried aboard the Intuitive Machines-2 mission, which aimed to deliver various payloads to the Moon. The launch utilized a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (specifically booster B1083, version B1083.9) to transport the rover and other cargo to lunar orbit.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 498 grams
- Dimensions: 15.0 cm width × 15.0 cm length × 10.0 cm height
- Classification: Lunar rover and autonomous robot
- Developer: Dymon
- Country of origin: Japan

### Digital Presence
Yaoki maintains an active presence on various social media platforms:
- Twitter: @yaoki_space_g (since August 3, 2021)
- Instagram: @yaoki_space
- Facebook: yaoki.space (since March 2, 2021)
- YouTube: yaoki6654

Official information about Yaoki is available on dual-language websites:
- Japanese: https://dymon.co.jp/yaoki/
- English: https://dymon.co.jp/en/yaoki/

### Mission Significance
As part of the Intuitive Machines-2 mission, Yaoki contributes to the growing trend of private sector participation in lunar exploration. This mission marks an important step in international lunar cooperation and demonstrates the capabilities of Japanese space technology. The rover's deployment will provide valuable data and experience for future lunar missions and space exploration endeavors.

## References

1. [Source](https://dymon.co.jp/en/yaoki/)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. YouTube API