Japan ispace confirms second lunar landing failure

Tokyo-based ispace has confirmed the failure of its lunar landing mission after losing contact with its lander during descent early Friday.

The lander, launched in January, was scheduled to land in Mare Frigoris at 4:17 a.m., but communication was lost shortly before that. The company later considered the mission unsuccessful, according to Xinhua.

This is ispace's second unsuccessful attempt, following an accident in 2023.