Learning from Failure: The Importance of Openness in Lunar Exploration

In a recent lunar mission that ended in disappointment, ispace-Japan's Resilience spacecraft lost telemetry moments before its anticipated landing on the moon, highlighting both the challenges of space exploration and the critical need for transparency within the burgeoning lunar economy. The mission, which took five years of preparation and significant financial backing from a range of investors—notably not through NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative—demonstrated both successes and a profound setback when the spacecraft could not execute a soft landing.

The Resilience mission, which included achievements such as a lunar flyby and extensive data collection during its five-month journey, ultimately faltered during the critical landing phase. "According to Ron Garan, chairman of ispace Technologies, the spacecraft's onboard laser altitude range finder failed to lock onto the lunar surface in time for the necessary deceleration, presumably resulting in a hard landing."

This setback serves as a stark reminder that even in the 21st century, landing on the moon remains a formidable challenge. In response, ispace has announced the formation of an External Review Task Force composed of independent experts to analyze the technical failures of the mission. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to transparency and learning from mistakes, a sentiment echoed throughout the industry.

Garan emphasizes that failures are only detrimental if no lessons are learned: "We must operate with extreme openness and transparency, so we can all learn from each other’s challenges and mistakes." He advocates for a collective approach among commercial lunar companies to share insights and develop a robust cis-lunar economy, which refers to economic activities in the space between the Earth and the Moon.

The upcoming APEX-1.0 mission, developed by ispace-U.S., aims to leverage lessons learned from Resilience, incorporating advanced features such as Terrain Relative Navigation and Hazard Detection and Avoidance systems. These improvements are designed to enhance landing capabilities significantly compared to its predecessor, which was limited to a “blind landing” strategy.

The concept of a cis-lunar economy is gaining traction, with industry leaders recognizing the potential for collaboration. Garan points out that the success of one mission can benefit all, suggesting that companies should work together to establish interoperability standards and shared infrastructures. This cooperative approach could unlock scientific discoveries and facilitate the extraction of lunar resources, potentially improving life on Earth.

Historically, setbacks in the space industry are not uncommon. For instance, SpaceX's initial failures with its Falcon-1 rockets eventually led to the development of one of the most reliable rocket systems in history. Garan draws parallels between these experiences: "The more shots you take, the more you score. This mission was a shot on goal that didn’t cost the American taxpayers any money but will nonetheless bolster the chances of future lunar missions succeeding."

As the commercial space industry evolves, Garan insists that the motto "Never quit the lunar quest" serves as a guiding principle, emphasizing resilience and the importance of learning from early failures to ensure future successes. He remains optimistic that the lessons drawn from the Resilience mission will contribute to a future where lunar exploration is routine and beneficial for all humanity.

In conclusion, while the loss of the Resilience mission is a significant setback, it also underscores the vital importance of transparency and collaboration in the quest for a sustainable lunar economy. The lessons learned will not only enhance future missions but could also pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in space exploration, ultimately expanding humanity's reach beyond Earth.