A private lunar lander from Tokyo-based company ispace was aiming for a touchdown in the unexplored far north with a mini rover.

Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic had an abortive go in January 2024 with its Peregrine lunar lander, which suffered a crippling fuel leak shortly after launch and ended up crashing back to Earth. A month later, Houston company Intuitive Machines made history with its Odysseus craft, which touched down near the lunar south pole.

Japanese company ispace says it has not been able to contact its uncrewed Moon lander Resilience since its lunar touchdown attempt.