In a historic milestone for private space exploration, Japanese startup Dymon Co. has launched its ultra-compact moon rover, Yaoki, marking the world's first private lunar exploration mission.
The rover was sent into space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, according to local media reports.
Yaoki, weighing just 498 grams and measuring approximately 14 centimeters in length and width with a height of 8 centimeters, is set to reach the lunar south pole in early March. Named after the Japanese proverb "nana korobi, ya oki"—meaning "fall seven times, get up eight"—the rover is designed to repeatedly right itself if it tips over, symbolizing resilience in the face of challenges.
Around 50 spectators gathered at the Space Travelium TeNQ museum in Tokyo to watch a live broadcast of the launch, underscoring the event's significance for Japan’s burgeoning private space sector. Once Yaoki lands on the lunar surface, it will spend approximately five days acclimatizing to the harsh temperature conditions before being deployed.
After this critical period, the rover will be remotely operated from Earth for several hours, during which it is expected to capture and transmit high-resolution images of the lunar terrain. Dymon Co. aims to pave the way for private companies to contribute to lunar exploration, setting a new precedent in the rapidly evolving space industry.
Japan’s top trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa is set to visit the U.S. for a second round of tariff talks next week, as Tokyo presses Washington to reconsider duties on cars and steel amid firm resistance from the Trump administration.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged Japan to join forces with Beijing in countering U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures, highlighting growing concern over Washington's protectionist policies.
Japan is contemplating offering concessions in the form of increased soybean and rice imports as part of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, according to a report by the Yomiuri daily on Saturday.
Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato strongly denied accusations that Japan manipulates its currency to weaken the yen, ahead of a highly anticipated meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week. Kato addressed the issue in the Japanese parliament on Friday, reaffirming that Jap
U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to influence the yen's exchange rate in the ongoing trade negotiations with Japan is likely to create challenges for both nations, analysts warned.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday killed at least four people and injured nearly 600 others, officials said, prompting an urgent government investigation.
Saudi Arabia on Friday unveiled its annual report highlighting the Kingdom’s advancements toward achieving the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 during the year 2024.
Two construction workers were critically injured Friday when suspected World War II-era ordnance exploded at a site near Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, police said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit Qatar on Sunday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties and coordinate on key regional matters, continuing the momentum from recent diplomatic exchanges.
Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators began a new round of indirect talks on Saturday in Muscat, seeking to broker a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
Three astronauts will head to China’s space station on Thursday as part of the Shenzhou-20 mission, replacing a crew that spent six months conducting research in orbit.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Scientists claim to have discovered a new color, "olo", perceived during an experiment involving laser pulses aimed at retinal cells. The blue-green hue is more saturated than any natural color, but some experts question whether it should be classified as a true new color.
OpenAI has unveiled a new option called Flex processing, an API service designed to provide more affordable AI model usage in exchange for slower response times and occasional resource unavailability.
A massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday killed at least four people and injured nearly 600 others, officials said, prompting an urgent government investigation.
Saudi Arabia on Friday unveiled its annual report highlighting the Kingdom’s advancements toward achieving the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 during the year 2024.
Two construction workers were critically injured Friday when suspected World War II-era ordnance exploded at a site near Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, police said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit Qatar on Sunday to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties and coordinate on key regional matters, continuing the momentum from recent diplomatic exchanges.
Top Iranian and U.S. negotiators began a new round of indirect talks on Saturday in Muscat, seeking to broker a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear programme, as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.
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