NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) has captured images of the intended landing site for ispace's SMBC x HAKUTO-R Venture Moon Mission 2 RESILIENCE lunar lander. The landing is scheduled for no earlier than June 5, 2025 (UTC). This mission marks a significant step in lunar exploration.
The LROC image spans 3.13 miles (5,040 meters) in width, with north oriented upwards. The targeted landing zone is situated within Mare Frigoris. This volcanic region is characterized by wrinkle ridges, which are large-scale faults.
Mare Frigoris formed over 3.5 billion years ago. Massive basalt eruptions flooded the low-lying terrain, creating this unique lunar landscape. The mission aims to further study this region and advance lunar science.