After an initial review of the data from the HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lunar lander, ispace stated that as the lander was on final approach the “descent speed rapidly increased” after “the estimated remaining propellant reached at the lower threshold.” This resulted in a “hard landing,” essentially a crash landing.

As with any landing on the Moon there are many anxious moments. That was no different today, and even those around the world watching remotely through YouTube could sense it. At ispace mission control, and in the auditorium where executives, officials and invitees watched, looks spoke loudly. First there was the anticipation of a possible successful landing, then the resignation that something had gone wrong.

Early this morning aboard the International Space Station, the Nanoracks CubeSat Deployer completed its 25th mission deploying six CubeSats, including four from Canada.

SpaceX commentators were simply giddy that the massive Starship launch vehicle cleared the launch tower on its first fully integrated test launch. And at one point it appeared they might make it to orbit.

In this episode of the Terranauts podcast Gemini VIII is the next mission and a future Apollo 11 astronauts flies for the first time.

If all goes well, the ispace Japanese lander with Canadian technology onboard will land on the Moon on April 25 sometime after the landing sequence starts at 11:40 am ET (15:40 UTC).

Kepler Communications today announced it had closed its Series C round and raising USD$92 million. This follows an oversubscribed Series B in June of 2021 where they raised USD$60 million.

The federal government released its 2023 budget today that earmarks additional funding for its Moon program as well funding its commitment to the International Space Station. The Canadian Space Agency budget for its 2023-24 fiscal year starting April 1 has grown to $537.4 million due in part to the additional funds.

As has been the case in recent years, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) did not spend the full amount of its budget on programs but did spend more than planned on internal services. The unspent funds though were the result of “procurement difficulties.” Considering the issues related to the pandemic, this was not a surprising outcome.

Vancouver based startup Metaspectral, a remote sensing software company, has been accepted into the Venture Catalyst Space at the University of South Australia’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC).