Japanese moon lander crashes, mission fails
TOKYO, June 6: A private lunar lander from Japan crashed during a touchdown attempt, marking the latest casualty in the commercial rush to the moon. Tokyo-based company ispace declared the mission a failure several hours after communication was lost with the lander.
Flight controllers scrambled to gain contact but were met with silence and said they were concluding the mission. Communication ceased less than two minutes before the spacecraft’s scheduled landing on the moon with a mini rover. CEO and founder Takeshi Hakamada apologized to everyone who contributed to the mission, the second lunar strikeout for ispace.
The company’s first moonshot ended in a crash landing two years ago, giving rise to the name “Resilience” for its successor lander. Resilience was targeting the top of the moon, a less treacherous place than the shadowy bottom. The 2.3-meter resilience was designed to beam back pictures within hours and the lander to lower the piggybacking rover onto the lunar surface this weekend.
The rover, made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic with four wheels, weighed just 5 kilograms and was capable of venturing up to two-thirds of 1 kilometer from the lander. (AP)
LGBTQ+ activists gather at World Pride despite travel fears
WASHINGTON, June 6: Global LGBTQ+ advocates gathered in Washington, DC, for World Pride despite visa issues and fears over Trump’s policies targeting transgender rights and diversity initiatives.
UK Black Pride co-founder Phyll Opoku-Gyimah was denied entry due to a revoked visa, highlighting challenges faced by many attendees.Some groups, like Egale Canada, boycotted the event over safety concerns, while others emphasized the importance of showing solidarity “on Trump’s doorstep” to resist growing hostility.
Attendees reported anxiety about border treatment but stressed the power of international unity against global anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Organizers advised travelers to stay informed and connect with local groups.
Activists warned that US rollbacks on protections have worldwide impacts, emboldening crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights in other countries. (AP)