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.
For the first time, two Chinese aircraft carriers were observed carrying out operations simultaneously in the Pacific Ocean, a development that Japan's defense minister interpreted as a sign of China's growing ambitions to expand its military reach.
In response to Japanese scrutiny of its naval movements, China has stressed that its national defence policy is defensive in nature. Beijing expressed hope that Japan would view its recent two-carrier operations in the Pacific "objectively and rationally."
Japanese company ispace announced that its unmanned moon lander, called Resilience, likely crashed during its landing attempt on Friday. This is their second failed try, after their first mission also ended in a crash two years ago.
Japan is preparing a strategic offer to the United States centered on rare earth elements and liquefied natural gas, aiming to secure relief from steep U.S. tariffs amid growing trade frictions with China.
Azerbaijan's participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka is drawing praise from Japan, as top officials meet to explore broader cooperation in energy, reconstruction, and cultural exchange.
Senior Azerbaijani official Hikmet Hajiyev has dismissed the claims that Azerbaijan is sending ethnic Azerbaijanis into Iran as agents for Israel.
Azerbaijani radiation experts have been sent to Astara to assess any potential impact from recent developments in Iran, according to the information obtained by APA.
A live military briefing in Israel was dramatically cut short Friday evening as incoming Iranian missiles targeted central Israel, moments after officials confirmed that Israeli forces had struck Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility and over 200 other sites.
European stock markets closed lower on Friday as heightened tensions in the Middle East rattled investors, overshadowing optimism from improving US-China trade relations.
Iran has demanded an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Israeli airstrikes on Friday killed dozens, including top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, in what Tehran calls a “declaration of war.”
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan and the UK are strengthening defense ties with a new Military Cooperation Plan, focusing on peacekeeping and military education.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has announced a landmark shift in its electoral process, declaring that the general elections scheduled for mid-2026 will be conducted using a fully digital system.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has announced Finland's ambition to host a European AI gigafactory. The move aims to boost national growth by building on the success of the LUMI supercomputer, with telecommunications giant Nokia poised to lead the project's business consortium.
British scientists have built more than 3,800 digital replicas of human hearts using AI and clinical data, aiming to revolutionize diagnosis, correct medical bias, and improve patient care.
Rolls-Royce SMR has been named the preferred bidder to develop the UK's first small modular reactors (SMRs) in partnership with the newly renamed Great British Energy – Nuclear. The project aims to bolster the UK's clean energy supply and energy independence.
Microsoft has officially revealed its long-anticipated handheld gaming console, the ROG Xbox Ally, developed in partnership with Asus. This new device aims to provide access to Xbox Game Pass libraries in a portable format, with its release scheduled for the end of 2025.
Senior Azerbaijani official Hikmet Hajiyev has dismissed the claims that Azerbaijan is sending ethnic Azerbaijanis into Iran as agents for Israel.
Azerbaijani radiation experts have been sent to Astara to assess any potential impact from recent developments in Iran, according to the information obtained by APA.
A live military briefing in Israel was dramatically cut short Friday evening as incoming Iranian missiles targeted central Israel, moments after officials confirmed that Israeli forces had struck Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility and over 200 other sites.
European stock markets closed lower on Friday as heightened tensions in the Middle East rattled investors, overshadowing optimism from improving US-China trade relations.
Iran has demanded an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after Israeli airstrikes on Friday killed dozens, including top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, in what Tehran calls a “declaration of war.”
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