INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
One of the private companies aiming to deliver a commercial lunar lander to the Moon has adjusted the timing for its planned mission, which
Japanese startup ispace is now targeting 2021 for their first lunar landing, and 2023 for a second lunar mission that will also include
involve sending a lunar orbital vehicle for demonstration purposes without any payloads, but that part of the plan has been scrapped in
favor of focusing all efforts on delivering actual payloads for commercial customers by 2021 instead.This updated focus, the company says,
Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, wherein the agency is looking for a growing number of private contractors to support its own
program, the Japanese company is supporting American nonprofit Draper in its efforts, which was one of the chosen
space agency, as well as new corporate partners including Suzuki, Sumitomo Corporation, Shogakukan and Citizen Watch.
