Japan’s 1st Moon Lander Suffers Communication Failure After Launch

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Fla., on March 18, 2022. Aubrey Gemignani/NASA via Getty Images

Japan’s space agency said Thursday that communication with its moon lander Omotenashi was lost after launching from the NASA center the previous day, and that it was working to stabilize its position.

NASA on Wednesday launched its unmanned spacecraft, Artemis 1, carrying the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA’s) Omotenashi lander and Equuleus satellite.