‘

Mission Overview

Japan’s space exploration company ispace, through its Luxembourg-based subsidiary, has completed the construction of a micro lunar rover named “Tenacious.” The rover is set to be transported to Japan for integration into ispace’s HAKUTO-R lander, with a planned launch later this year.

Lunar Rover Specifications

Tenacious is a compact vehicle, measuring 26 cm tall, 31.5 cm wide, and 54 cm long, with a weight of approximately 5 kg. It features a forward-mounted HD camera to capture images on the lunar surface.

Launch and Landing Details

The mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Space Coast. The mission will mark ispace’s second attempt to land on the lunar surface, following a failed attempt in April 2023.

Mission Components

The HAKUTO-R lander, named “Resilience,” will carry Tenacious and other scientific and commercial equipment to the moon. Upon landing, the rover will deploy to conduct exploration activities.

Communication and Operation

Tenacious will communicate with ground stations on Earth via the Resilience lander, receiving commands and transmitting data back.

European Involvement

The development of Tenacious was partly funded by the Luxembourg Space Agency through a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). This mission represents a significant milestone for European space exploration.

Strategic Significance

The mission underscores the collaboration between Japan and Luxembourg, highlighting Luxembourg’s efforts to promote the industrialization of space resources. The mission aligns with Luxembourg’s 2017 Space Resources Law.

Future Missions

Besides this mission, ispace is also developing its third lunar mission, scheduled to use the APEX 1.0 lunar lander and launch in 2026. This ongoing work aims to support NASA’s Artemis program and further space resource utilization.