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.
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A Self-Defence Force training aircraft from Japan crashed in central Japan shortly after takeoff, prompting an ongoing investigation by authorities.
President Donald Trump has announced the development of a sweeping new missile defense initiative dubbed the “Golden Dome,” a multibillion-dollar system designed to shield the U.S. from next-generation threats, including hypersonic and space-launched missiles.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 159 Ukrainian drones on Wednesday, including several near the heavily populated Moscow region, marking one of the largest reported drone attacks on Russian territory.
China has threatened legal action against entities that support U.S. restrictions on Chinese semiconductors, escalating tensions after Washington warned companies against using Huawei’s advanced AI chips.
Google announced a new “AI Mode” for its search engine in the United States, aiming to make searching feel more like talking to an expert who can answer almost any question.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
Taiwan's Computex tech show brought together thousands of international participants on Tuesday, showcasing the highly advanced Artificial Intelligence and robotic systems.
Microsoft announced on Monday that it will begin hosting AI models from Elon Musk's xAI, Meta Platforms, and European startups like Mistral and Black Forest Labs in its own data centers.
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun announced a $6.9 billion investment plan over the next decade to develop advanced chips, unveiling the new Xring O1 system-on-chip this Thursday, aiming to boost the company’s high-end smartphone strategy and reduce reliance on Qualcomm.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has spotted the first aurora on Mars visible to the human eye, offering a glimpse of what future astronauts might one day enjoy under the Martian sky.
China and Russia have agreed to build a nuclear-powered lunar base by 2036 at the Moon’s south pole. The International Lunar Research Station will support scientific research and resource exploration, marking a major step in their joint space efforts amid shifting global space priorities.
President Donald Trump has announced the development of a sweeping new missile defense initiative dubbed the “Golden Dome,” a multibillion-dollar system designed to shield the U.S. from next-generation threats, including hypersonic and space-launched missiles.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 159 Ukrainian drones on Wednesday, including several near the heavily populated Moscow region, marking one of the largest reported drone attacks on Russian territory.
China has threatened legal action against entities that support U.S. restrictions on Chinese semiconductors, escalating tensions after Washington warned companies against using Huawei’s advanced AI chips.
Google announced a new “AI Mode” for its search engine in the United States, aiming to make searching feel more like talking to an expert who can answer almost any question.
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