A Japanese lunar lander called Resilience failed to softly touch down on the moon’s surface on June 5, marking the second failure for Tokyo-based company ispace. The lander was unable to decelerate properly, and the company has lost communication with it. This setback may impact the company’s plans for full-scale commercialization of lunar resources, starting with water, which was scheduled to launch in 2027.
Forecast for 6 months: ispace will conduct a thorough analysis of the failure and implement necessary changes to its lander design and software. This may lead to a revised launch schedule for the next mission, potentially pushing it back to 2028.
Forecast for 1 year: The failure of Resilience may lead to a shift in the commercial space landscape, with other companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin gaining momentum in lunar exploration and resource utilization. ispace may need to re-evaluate its business model and partnerships to stay competitive.
Forecast for 5 years: The lunar lander market is expected to grow significantly, with multiple companies launching missions to the moon in the next few years. ispace will need to adapt and innovate to remain a major player in this market, potentially through partnerships or acquisitions.
Forecast for 10 years: The commercialization of lunar resources, including water, is expected to become a reality, with companies such as ispace playing a key role. The moon may become a hub for space-based manufacturing, with resources being extracted and processed for use in space and on Earth.
