On June 11, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured a striking view of the Hakuto-R Mission 2 impact site on the Moon’s surface, revealing recent scarring on the lunar terrain. The images, released by NASA, provide confirmation that ispace’s RESILIENCE lander, part of a private Japanese mission, crash-landed in Mare Frigoris, a geologically intriguing volcanic plain. This marks the second unsuccessful landing attempt by ispace on the Moon.

A Mission Called RESILIENCE Ends in Impact

The SMBC x Hakuto-R Moon lander, known as RESILIENCE, was launched on January 15, 2025, as part of a privately funded spacecraft. Despite its name, the lander experienced a 'hard landing' on June 5, falling short of its intended touchdown. NASA’s LRO Narrow Angle Camera captured the aftermath of the crash from 50 miles above, showing a dark surface smudge - a sign of a recent impact.

The photos reveal a dark patch with a halo-like ring around it. This contrast was caused by lunar regolith, the Moon’s fine dust and rocky debris, being thrown outward and scouring the surrounding area. The size and pattern of the ejecta indicate a high-velocity collision. These images not only confirm the lander’s fate but also provide insight into the mechanics of impacts on airless planetary bodies.

RESILIENCE lunar lander impact site, as seen by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) on June 11, 2025. The lander created a dark smudge surrounded by a subtle bright halo.
Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University.

LRO’s Role in Documenting Lunar History

Launched in 2009, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has become a vital asset in NASA’s lunar science endeavors. Managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, LRO is equipped with a suite of seven instruments, including the LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) system, which has transformed our understanding of the Moon. Its high-resolution images have documented everything from Apollo landing sites to geological formations and failed lander impacts, making it crucial for lunar mission planning.

By documenting the crash site of RESILIENCE, LRO continues to support scientific analysis and commercial accountability, providing an impartial record of lunar surface events to public and private partners. Each new impact site tells a story of ambition, risk, and technological limits, contributing to the knowledge base guiding future exploration.

Mare Frigoris: A Telling Backdrop for the Impact

The crash took place in Mare Frigoris, a relatively flat region north of the Moon’s equator, historically significant and geologically active. This area is marked by wrinkle ridges, fault-like structures resulting from the Moon’s slow cooling and contraction. These natural features are of great interest to planetary geologists, and a recent impact in this terrain adds a new element for scientific modeling.

The location of the impact in this zone presents an opportunity to study how recent mechanical disturbances impact pre-existing tectonic features. The dark spot and ejected regolith surrounding the crash site are likely to remain visible for years, serving as both a warning symbol and a research target.

A Setback for ispace, but Not the End

This crash represents ispace’s second consecutive failure to land softly on the Moon. Despite the previous Hakuto-R Mission 1 in 2023 also ending in an impact, the company remains focused on long-term goals in space logistics and lunar resource development. These setbacks highlight the challenges of Moon landings, a feat achieved by only a few state-sponsored programs.

However, each attempt provides valuable telemetry and mission data that inform the design of future endeavors. As NASA expands partnerships with private companies through initiatives like CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services), incidents like this one will become more frequent - along with the learning opportunities they bring.