The world’s first private lunar lander has now been launched from the Earth’s surface. Early on Sunday morning it took off from Florida in the USA and is now sprinting towards the moon. The Japanese company Ispace is behind the project. The Japanese government has given Ispace permission for commercial operations on the moon, reports the industry site Spacewatch.
Five month long journey
On board are two lunar vehicles, one from Japan and one from the United Arab Emirates. The lunar vehicles will take samples that can contribute to research into how the moon came to be. But first a five-month journey through the atmosphere awaits.