Since its launch mission back in December HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander is scheduled to land in April. While there are tentative dates with the earliest being on April 25, this is of utmost importance for the people in the United Arab Emirates. As this mission is also carrying the Rashid Rover to the moon. Here’s all you need to know about the scheduled landing and the mission going forward.
HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander Scheduled landing Date In April?
日本橋三井タワー1階アトリウムで展示中の「HAKUTO-R」ミッション1ランダー（月着陸船）実物大模型の展示は、1月31日までの予定です。残りわずかの期間ですので、お近くにお越しの際はぜひご覧いただき、#ispace や #M1 について少しでも体感いただければ嬉しいです。 pic.twitter.com/SbNF1iNtzO
— ispace_HAKUTO-R (@ispace_HAKUTO_R) January 26, 2023
The Rashid Rover is named after the former Ruler of Dubai, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. This is a UAE-made rover which is also the first lunar spacecraft that has been built by an Arab country. According to a news report by Khaleej Times, April 25, which is a Tuesday, is the earliest scheduled landing for this lunar lander. Launched by Japanese-based ispace, it was announced that the landing is expected at 8:45 PM, UAE time. However, it’s worth noting that as on April 12, HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander is orbiting the moon. This orbiting is happening in elliptical orbit at an altitude from 100 kilometres to 2,300 kilometres. However, it is worth mentioning that there are also three alternative landing sites that have been mapped out depending on the date on which the landing may happen. And as mentioned in the report, the alternative landing dates or April 26, May 1, and May 3.
Also Read: Sultan Al Neyadi Is All Set To Perform The First Arab Spacewalk This April! Details Inside
What Happens When The Rashid Rover Begins The Mission?
月周回軌道からこんばんは！🌓
先週月周回軌道投入マヌーバに成功したランダーから、ispaceのカメラで撮影された月の画像が管制室に届きました！
今後も素敵な景色を皆様にお届け予定です！#ispace #hakuto_r #月を生活圏に #moon #space pic.twitter.com/WMPN7oIWze
— ispace_HAKUTO-R (@ispace_HAKUTO_R) March 27, 2023
You might be thrilled to know that the lander has already entered the lunar orbit last month and even sent back a gorgeous image of the moon from the camera that has been installed on it. Sent on March 26 this image shows Petavius, Vendelinus, and Langrenus Craters. As it happens, this rover is also on its way to complete the third milestone of the arrival phase. This includes Entry, Descent, and Landing. Although this will be the most intense phase of all, the next phase will include Deployment, Commissioning, and Drive-off. After this, Post-landing Checkout, Completion, Instrument Commissioning, and Initial Data Collection will begin; and then the Nominal Surface Operations phase, which is the mission of the rover, will commence and continue for 10 to 12 days. The last two phases include Hibernation and Decommissioning, during which secondary communication is activated and all information captured by the rover will be downloaded.
Also Read: This Breathtaking Picture Of Ramadan Crescent Moon Shared By Sultan AlNeyadi From Space Is Magical!
Doesn’t it sound absolutely intriguing? So, stay tuned to the space for more details about this mission!
Cover Image Courtesy: https://twitter.com/Canadensys1