(CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA) — SpaceX launched the first privately-led Japanese mission to the moon early Wednesday from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The launch of ispace’s HAKUTO-R Mission 1 on the Falcon 9 rocket at 3:39 a.m. EST Wednesday was joined by a small NASA spacecraft, a lander, and the Lunar Flashlight, according to SpaceX.
The rocket booster’s return to the Cape Canaveral Landing Zone 1 around 10 minutes after liftoff remitted sonic booms throughout Central Florida.
Targeting Wednesday, November 30 at 3:39 a.m. ET for Falcon 9’s launch of ispace’s HAKUTO-R Mission 1 – the first privately-led Japanese mission to land on the lunar surface → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK pic.twitter.com/lETh1mvNfo
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 28, 2022
Falcon 9’s launch marks the fifth for the reusable, two-stage rocket, according to SpaceX.