NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has captured dramatic images of the impact site of Japan’s private lunar mission, RESILIENCE, which crash-landed on the Moon’s surface. The images reveal fresh scarring and dark regolith surrounding the crater, confirming that the lander did not soft-land as intended.
The SMBC x Hakuto-R Moon lander, part of a commercial mission to establish a Japanese presence on the Moon, experienced a hard landing on June 5. NASA’s LRO Narrow Angle Camera detected the impact from 50 miles above and captured the aftermath. The images show a dark patch surrounded by a lighter ring, caused by lunar regolith being hurled outward.
LRO’s role in documenting lunar history is essential for scientific analysis and commercial accountability. The orbiter has recorded high-resolution images of Apollo landing sites, geological formations, and failed lander impacts, providing valuable data for future mission planning.
The impact occurred in Mare Frigoris, a geologically active volcanic plain north of the Moon’s equator. This region offers an opportunity to study how recent mechanical disruptions affect pre-existing tectonic features.
Despite this setback, ispace continues to emphasize long-term objectives in space logistics and lunar resource development. The crash marks the second consecutive failure for the company to land softly on the Moon, but each attempt contributes valuable telemetry data that feeds into subsequent efforts.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/06/a-strange-mark-just-appeared-on-the-moon