SpaceX launches two lunar landers toward moon for U.S., Japanese companies

SpaceX launches lunar landers for U.S. and Japanese companies, aiming to advance lunar exploration and research.

In a two-for-one moonshot, SpaceX launched a pair of lunar landers Wednesday (January 15, 2025) for U.S. and Japanese companies looking to jumpstart business on Earth’s dusty sidekick.

The two landers rocketed away in the middle of the night from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Kennedy Space Center, the latest in a stream of private spacecraft aiming for the moon. They shared the ride to save money, taking separate roundabout routes for the monthslong journey.

It’s take 2 for the Tokyo-based ispace, whose first lander crashed into the moon two years ago. This time, it has a rover on board with a scoop to gather up lunar dirt for study and plans to test potential food and water sources for future explorers.

Lunar newcomer Texas-based Firefly Aerospace is flying 10 experiments for NASA, including a vacuum to gather dirt, a drill to measure the temperature below the surface and a device that could be used by future moonwalkers to keep the sharp, abrasive particles off their spacesuits and equipment.

Also read: U.S. faces risk of losing to China in second moon race

Firefly’s Blue Ghost — named after a species of U.S. Southeastern fireflies — should reach the moon first. The 6-foot-6-inches-tall (2-meter-tall) lander will attempt a touchdown in early March at Mare Crisium, a volcanic plain in the northern latitudes.

The slightly bigger ispace lander named Resilience will take four to five months to get there, targeting a touchdown in late May or early June at Mare Frigoris, even farther north on the moon’s near side.