A Japanese company tried to land its own spacecraft on the moon early Wednesday, but its fate was unknown as flight controllers lost contact with it moments before the planned touchdown.
Controllers peered at their screens in Tokyo, expressionless, as the minutes went by with still no word from the lander.
A webcast commentator urged everyone to be patient, as the controllers investigated what might have happened. Contact was lost as the lander descended the final 10 metres, travelling around 25 km/h.
“Everyone, please give us a few minutes to confirm,” he urged.
However, roughly 10 minutes later, Ispace founder and chief executive Takeshi Hakamada
