Japanese Moon Lander Crashed Because It Was Still Three Miles Up Not on the Ground

Only three countries have ever managed to land a spacecraft on the moon. Last month, Japan's ispace tried and failed with its Hakuto-R Mission 1 lunar lander.

It slammed into the surface after aiming for a landing site in a crater. A last-minute switch in the target shifted the altitude that its onboard sensors measured, and the software got confused.

The Crash

The moon has claimed many a spacecraft in its time, but few private companies have been able to successfully land their spacecraft on the surface. A Japanese startup called ispace is trying to change that with a mission scheduled for next year, and plans for another in 2025. But the company’s first attempt to make a soft landing on the lunar surface last month ended in disaster when its 7-foot lander plummeted from an altitude of 3 miles before smashing into the lunar terrain. A postmortem on the failure revealed that a software error caused the onboard computer to misjudge its distance from the ground.

ispace’s team of engineers are working on a full analysis of the telemetry data collected up until the end of the landing sequence, and will clarify the details once complete. But it’s safe to say that the problem was that the onboard computer believed it was closer to the ground than it really was, so it accelerated its descent and ran out of fuel.

The spacecraft, known as Hakuto-R, was attempting the world’s first commercial soft-landing on the moon when it went dark on April 25. It had completed eight out of the 10 required milestones before the crash, and was only 15 minutes away from a gentle landing. Then it was thrown into the crater-riddled surface and added to the already-pockmarked lunar regolith.

The Cause

The Japanese robotic spacecraft designed to land on the Moon smashed into its surface in April after a software glitch caused it to miscalculate its altitude, Japanese company Ispace says. During the landing attempt, the Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander estimated it was close to zero altitude when, in fact, it was about 3 miles up, Ispace says.

The lander was just 15 minutes away from a gentle landing when it smashed into the ground, creating another crater on the already pockmarked lunar regolith. A NASA satellite spotted the wreckage and other debris, and images from the site show the lander was at an unexpectedly high altitude.

Ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada held out hope that the lander had survived until communication was lost shortly before the predicted touchdown time. He urged engineers to continue to watch the livestream but he conceded that the lander likely crashed.

Hakamada blamed computer simulations that did not include the terrain of the planned landing site, which was changed from its original destination months before launch. The change could have led to a discrepancy between the lander’s actual and expected altitude, and then the lander ran out of fuel as it struggled to slow down. Ispace plans to attempt a second Moon landing in 2024. If successful, it would be the first private company to do so. Only three countries—Russia, the United States and Israel—have ever landed on the Moon.

The Damage

The lander, the Hakuto-R Mission 1 — built by Ispace of Tokyo — ran out of fuel during its final descent and slammed into the moon, reports said. The start-up company was trying to become the first private company to land on the lunar surface.

It was just a few minutes before the planned landing time when the telemetry signal from the lander went dark, and the company lost contact with it. Engineers sat in a room in Tokyo, expressionless as minutes ticked by without word from the spacecraft. A webcast commentator asked for patience and urged everyone to keep watching.

Eventually, the engineers were forced to concede that they had lost contact with the unmanned craft. The Hakuto-R lander had been carrying payloads for the Japanese and international companies, including a small rover from the United Arab Emirates and a baseball-sized "transformable" robot from Japan's space agency.

If the lander had successfully made a soft landing, the spacecraft would have provided valuable data about the lunar environment and the conditions that exist underneath the surface. The mission's failure is a blow to Ispace and the growing community of private space startups aiming to compete with government-run space agencies for the next frontier in exploration. But even after the crash, the founders of ispace and other start-ups are determined to push ahead with plans for more moonshots.

The Recovery

A private company's attempt to send a spacecraft to the moon ended in failure after the craft lost contact as it descended toward the surface. Ispace says it appears the Hakuto-R Mission 1 lunar lander slammed into the lunar surface, a setback for the Tokyo-based company and Japan's push into commercial space.

The company's CEO, Takeshi Hakamada, had hoped for the best as the lander neared its final descent into Atlas Crater in Mare Frigoris on the Moon's northern hemisphere. He urged engineers to watch the live animation of the lander's telemetry, but as it drew closer to its destination communication was lost.

Engineers say the lander likely ran out of fuel as it began to slow down for its landing. They had expected the lander to use its thrusters to ease its landing. Instead, the lander may have hit too hard.

Hakuto-R, which means white rabbit, was carrying payloads from two nations -- the Japanese aerospace agency and the United Arab Emirates. JAXA had planned to deploy its two-wheeled transformable lunar robot, while the UAE wanted to test its Rashid rover on the Moon. Other payloads included a test unit for a solid-state battery and 360-degree cameras.

If the lander had succeeded, it would have been the first private commercial spacecraft to make it to the lunar surface intact. But that will have to wait.

Debt Limit Warnings Went Unheeded Leaving Her to Face Fallout

Yellen has tried to stay out of the politics surrounding the debt limit, but Republicans have attacked her credibility. Members of the House Freedom Caucus recently wrote to leaders asking them to demand a full justification for her earlier forecast that the Treasury Department could run out of money as early as June 1.

Yellen has a lot at stake in these negotiations. She considered ways to contain fallout from a default as a Fed official during the last two major standoffs in 2011 and 2013.

1. Yellen? Warnings Went Unheeded

In the days after November’s elections, Yellen was feeling upbeat. She credited Democratic candidates with performing better than expected and having maintained control of the Senate. But as she traveled to a G-20 summit in Indonesia that month, she warned that Republicans taking the lead of the House posed a new threat to the economy.

Yellen was right, but her warnings went unheeded. The United States has since spent most of this year inching closer to a default as Republicans refused to raise the country’s $31.4 trillion borrowing limit without capping spending and rolling back President Biden?s agenda.

Treasury officials developed a default playbook during the last two debt limit standoffs in 2011 and 2013, and Yellen was a key participant in those discussions. She was briefed on the plans, and she engaged in her own contingency planning as a Fed official.

But she has been criticized by lawmakers for not being as forceful in expressing the consequences of a default. She has also been accused of being manipulative by members of the House Freedom Caucus, who recently wrote to Speaker Kevin McCarthy requesting that she “furnish a complete justification for her earlier projections that the U.S. could run out of money as early as June 1.” The White House has refused to say whether contingency plans are being considered, though former Treasury and Federal Reserve officials have said it’s nearly certain that emergency plans would be put in place if the deadline comes to pass.

2. Yellen?s Warnings Went Unheeded

Yellen is taking a behind-the-scenes role in the debt limit impasse, briefing lawmakers on the federal government’s cash reserves and calling business leaders to urge them to pressure Republicans to lift the borrowing cap. But many House Republicans aren’t buying her dire warnings about default, undercutting the urgency she has emphasized.

Despite the recent collapses of SVB Financial and Signature Bank, Yellen has assured depositors that their money is safe. She pledged a thorough review of what went wrong and promised to enact additional safeguards in the event that any further distress arises. But she also has warned that a prolonged shutdown of the banking system could have severe economic consequences, such as a possible bank run.

She also has adamantly opposed proposals that would allow the Treasury Department to prioritize certain bills over others in the event of a shutdown. White House officials have declined to say whether contingency planning is underway and Yellen has declined to offer specifics on how she might prioritize payments.

Yellen has stayed relatively quiet on inside-the-Beltway politics, but she has taken exception to President Trump’s repeated attacks on the Fed. She is concerned about his efforts to politicize the central bank, from his plans to nominate two allies to the Fed board to his Twitter tirades against the current chairwoman, Jerome Powell.

3. Yellen? Warnings Went Unheeded

The Treasury Department has developed a default playbook from previous debt limit standoffs in 2011 and 2013. And Yellen is very familiar with them: She was a top Federal Reserve official during the last two significant standoffs, contemplating how the central bank would try to contain fallout if the United States were to miss some payments.

Yellen is a strong proponent of reforming the rules that govern how the government can take on new borrowing, but she hasn't been at the forefront of the fight against the current impasse over the debt ceiling. Instead, she has taken a more behind the scenes role, briefing the White House on the nation's cash reserves, calling business leaders and asking them to urge Republicans to lift the debt limit and sending increasingly regular letters to Congress warning when the federal government will be unable to pay its bills.

Unlike some senior administration officials, Yellen has not participated in Oval Office meetings between President Biden and House Republicans. But she is coordinating on a daily basis with Jeffrey D. Zients, the White House chief of staff, and Lael Brainard, the director of the National Economic Council, to plot the administration's strategy.

Yellen has made clear that she won't accept any short-term solution that undermines the "full faith and credit" of the United States. She recently sent a letter to congressional leaders warning that if the government exhausts its extraordinary measures to avoid a default, it will be forced to prioritize principal and interest payments to bondholders while suspending the reinvestment of investments in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund and the Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan.

4. Yellen? Warnings Went Unheeded

In the days following November’s midterm elections, Janet Yellen was upbeat that Democrats did better than expected and maintained control of the Senate. Now, the federal government’s cash balance has fallen below $40 billion and on Friday Yellen informed lawmakers that the X-date for when the Treasury Department runs out of money to pay bills on time will arrive by June 5.

The Federal Reserve chairwoman rarely talks about inside-the-Beltway politics but has become increasingly alarmed by President Trump’s efforts to politicize the central bank. Her scathing criticism of the President’s lack of understanding of basic macroeconomics has raised doubts about his ability to be a successful leader.

Yellen has also warned that the US could face widespread global effects if it exhausts its extraordinary measures and fails to raise the debt ceiling. She told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Friday that a default would damage the US’ reputation as a trusted global financial center and cause Americans to pay higher borrowing costs.

Amid the debt ceiling standoff, Yellen has been less vocal than her predecessors but has kept busy with contingency planning. She has briefed the White House on the nation’s cash reserves and has urged business leaders to pressure Republicans to compromise. She has also written increasingly regular letters to Congress warning when the United States will run out of money to pay its bills.

How to Express Your Style With Home and Kitchen Decor?

Home and kitchen decor is a fun way to express your style in the heart of your home. From patterned backsplashes to simple mugs, there are many ways to add style to the kitchen.

Glamming up your kitchen involves using colors that are both stylish and timeless to create a sophisticated look. Adding natural materials like stone or marble countertops is another way to create a luxurious kitchen.

Glamorous

Glamorous home and kitchen decor creates a lavish appearance that says “expensive,” yet the look isn’t as difficult to achieve as you might think. Incorporating metallic accents, statement backsplashes, and luxe fabrics can elevate your cooking space into a stylish, luxurious area without breaking the bank.

A glamorous kitchen should have a mix of textures, patterns, and colors to add dimension and interest to the area. When it comes to choosing wall art, go big with oversized prints and framed art that includes a glitzy appearance. Wall decals are also an easy way to add a touch of glamour to any room.

Silver, gold, bronze, or rose gold metallic accents work well with any kitchen style. You can incorporate these finishes into your range hood, hardware, lighting fixtures, and other appliances. You can also opt for eye-catching backsplash tile that features a shimmering metallic surface or a textured, geometric pattern.

The right type of rug can also help define a glam space. Choose rugs that feature high-contrast colors and bold patterns, or opt for plush texture to complement the rest of your decor. You can even use a rug to add an elegant touch to a breakfast nook or other cozy eating area.

Glass accessories, such as glass canisters and jars, are the perfect way to display pantry items while creating a glam feel. Displaying your favorite grains, pastas, or spices in these decorative containers will show off a beautiful collection while keeping your ingredients organized and accessible. Lastly, fresh flowers are an essential element of any home and should be included in your kitchen to keep the space looking bright and cheerful.

Cozy

Rather than having an all-white kitchen, try introducing warm hues into your space. Choosing a warm paint color and accenting with warmer toned woods and fabrics creates a cozy atmosphere. You can also use dimmers on overhead lights to soften their intensity and create an intimate mood. Smaller floor and table lamps can also work to create cozy vignettes in their pools of light.

Another great way to cozy up your kitchen is by using rustic and country decor items. Market baskets, assorted checked prints, and weathered wood stools all add a touch of warmth to the room. You could even find a few family heirlooms to display like old photos of loved ones or rolling pins from your grandmother.

Displaying cookbooks in your home is a classic cozy decorating idea that can add a lot of personality. If you have a built in bookshelf in your kitchen, you can put your favorite cookbooks on display to help make the room feel more welcoming. It's a great way to share your love of cooking with friends and family as well.

Adding touches of your hobbies and passions is one of the easiest ways to cozy up your home. If you're a nature lover, displaying some of your favorite photographs or a wreath made of pinecones and berries will add to the warmth. You can also incorporate smart home tech into your decor by placing Hue bulbs around your house. These smart lighting devices can control colors and brightness and are compatible with both Alexa and Google Home. They're an affordable way to upgrade your existing lighting without spending a fortune. The beauty of these devices is that you can install them in any room to create a cohesive look.

Fall

The fall season marks a time of harvest and giving thanks, so it’s natural to incorporate warm colors in your home. Reds, oranges and yellows are a welcoming accent to any home or kitchen. They also reflect the richness of the colors in autumn leaves and pumpkins.

Another classic element of fall decor is the use of flowers. Whether real or faux, blooms can easily transform a room. Use vases to display simple bouquets or create more elaborate arrangements with a variety of fall elements like leaves, stems and berries. You can even add a touch of Halloween by adding black silhouettes of ghosts and ghouls to your floral arrangements.

A simple, yet effective, way to decorate your kitchen for fall is to add a colorful fall centerpiece. All you need is a spare serving tray and some seasonal items like gourds, pumpkins or branches of fall leaves. Arrange the items in a stair-step effect, starting with the tallest item and then progressively adding smaller items. This allows the arrangement to remain balanced and easy to move out of the way when you need to work in the kitchen.

If you don’t have a kitchen table to decorate, consider the counters or a shelf. Place an arrangement of autumn items on a decorative tray, dough bowl or wooden stand. Some ideas for this include a bowl of fresh gourds, a grouping of metal pumpkins or decorative twigs with pine cones and brightly colored leaves.

Evoke a rustic escape by incorporating farmhouse style into your fall home decor. Combine copper accessories with wood accents and antique pieces for a charming look. You can even incorporate small touches of farmhouse decor, such as these adorable pumpkin salt and pepper shakers.

Home and Kitchen Decor

Home and kitchen decor should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Adding simple kitchen accessories like a vase of flowers or a framed piece of art can help bring personality to the room.

A decorating theme can also be a great way to tie the room together. Popular kitchen themes include rustic, modern and traditional.

Glamorous

Whether your cooking space is large or small, you can create a glamorous look with the right decor. Add metallic accents to any room for a touch of sparkle, and choose eye-catching backsplash tile for a focal point in the kitchen. You can also create a modern, glam feel by using glass accessories like canisters and jars to display your favorite spices or ingredients. The high-sheen finishes and sleek design of these pieces is a reflection of your sophisticated style, and they will enhance any kitchen.

A luxurious, glamorous kitchen is an elegant and inviting place to entertain guests or spend time with family. The best part is that you don’t have to break the bank to make your kitchen a posh space. You can start by choosing a neutral color scheme, such as white or cream, and then adding accent colors in rich hues to the countertops, cabinets, and backsplash. Then, choose luxury fabrics for the chairs and cushions, and incorporate plush rugs to create a cozy, stylish atmosphere.

If you are looking to give your home a glamorous upgrade, consider the use of gold, silver, and bronze metals in your kitchen. You can use these metallic accents on hardware, light fixtures, and other kitchen appliances to instantly elevate your space. Mix and match your metals to add interest and a more upscale look, or opt for an all-gold or all-silver palette for a cohesive design.

Other ways to give your kitchen a glamorous design include the use of mirrored surfaces. Adding a mirror to your backsplash or even the walls can make the space feel larger and brighter, while also reflecting light throughout the room. You can also add a decorative mirrored tray to your countertop or island for a sparkly accent piece.

Another way to make your kitchen feel glamorous is by adding colorful wall art or vases. A bold, framed print or floral arrangement is an excellent choice for any home, and it can be the perfect focal point in your kitchen. Alternatively, you can use a statement rug to bring color and pattern into the kitchen. Then, finish the look with a chandelier or pendant light to create a dazzling display.

Cozy

One of the best ways to make a room feel cozy is by adding warmth. This can be done through the material used in the space, color, and lighting. It’s also important to add texture to a room, and this can be done through the use of rugs, blankets, and pillows. Adding candles and other fragrances will help to create a warm, cozy feeling in your home.

A classic way to add coziness is by displaying vintage or antique items in your kitchen. This can be as simple as a teacup from your grandmother or a small wooden box that you bought on a trip to Europe. Displaying these items will instantly make your kitchen look warm and inviting. Another way to add cozy elements in your kitchen is by baking cookies or cooking a stew. This will not only give the kitchen a warm, inviting smell but it will also fill your home with delicious food to enjoy.

If you have an open floor plan, adding a rug in the kitchen will immediately warm up the space. You can even go with a neutral color or pattern so that it will match any style of kitchen. Then, add accent pieces like wood signs or baskets to give the room a cozy feeling.

Another way to make a kitchen feel cozy is by having an area where family members and guests can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack. A coffee or tea station is a great way to do this, and it will also give the room a more personal touch.

Changing the lighting in your kitchen is a simple way to warm up a room and it can also change the mood of the room. Consider replacing your lightbulbs with warmer bulbs or adding some table lamps to the room. You can also opt for a smart lamp like the Hue bulb that you can control with your voice.

Keeping a well-organized pantry will also make your kitchen look cozy. Storing your dry goods in pretty containers will add to the look, and it will also make it easier for family members to find what they are looking for.

Fall

Fall brings a new mood to your home with warm hues of pumpkin, gold and mossy green. It's the season of harvest, family gatherings and a bountiful feast. Create a festive autumn theme with simple DIY accents and easy kitchen decorating ideas.

Start with the classics of fall, like a large vase full of gourds or pumpkins, and layer in the colors of the season. Toss in some natural elements for added texture, like branches and acorns. This rustic display is a great choice for a mantel or table centerpiece.

For a more elegant look, choose a few fall-themed wreaths for the door. You can use real or faux flowers, and they work well into winter, if you keep them covered. A repurposed wooden rake is also a nice way to display your fall decor. Adding an initial and some bittersweet branches to a piece of chalkboard makes an easy door sign, which can be changed through the season.

A jar of acorns is another simple fall home decoration idea for your kitchen. They can be used to hold a number of things, from snacks to spare change. They are a good choice for your pantry, and they also work well on an open shelf as a decorative accent.

Using a palette of earth tones helps you easily add some seasonal flair to your dining room. The rich colors of pumpkin, burnt orange and chocolate brown pair nicely with shades of amber, tan and mustard yellow to cozie up the area.

An autumn-themed rug can add some extra warmth to the room, especially in the entryway. You can find plenty of options in stores, including a variety of wool blends that are both durable and stylish.

Pumpkins are one of the easiest ways to make your home feel more festive. You can display them on your mantel, in each window or artfully stagger them down your front steps. You can even make a fun statement with a pumpkin banner that features a message of your choosing.

A beautiful way to welcome guests is with a custom front porch mat, such as this one that features a message "boo-tiful" to greet the season. You can create your own with a paper template and some basic craft paint.

SDS Study Visa Canada

If you are from a country listed under SDS, your application will be processed faster than non-SDS applications. However, you still need to meet the visa requirements.

Students must submit proof of tuition fees paid for their first year of study. This includes bank receipts and DLI’s official confirmation of payment.

English Language Test

Students who want to avail SDS study Visa Canada must clear the language proficiency test. They can either take IELTS or PTE to demonstrate their language skills. However, they need to get a score of at least 6 bands in each module – listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Students also need to submit the acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). They must prove that they have paid their first-year tuition fees in full. The upfront medical examination is also required. This is usually conducted by a panel physician and involves a complete body check-up.

IRCC has recently announced that it will now accept PTE Academic in place of IELTS for SDS applicants. This is a huge step as it makes the process easier for students. Moreover, the iBT part of PTE can be taken from home, making it an ideal choice for students. Earlier, only IELTS and CAEL were eligible for this visa category.

Medical Examination

The medical examination is an essential part of the SDS study visa Canada process. It involves a complete physical exam and a background check. Moreover, it is important for those who want to fast-track their visa processing. Applicants must also submit a Statement of Purpose, which is a document that is meant to help the visa officer understand their background and motivation for the course.

Another important requirement is a proof of payment of the first year tuition fees from the DLI. Moreover, students must show a bank receipt that portrays their financial stability. They should also provide a full-body medical examination and digital photographs that are 35X45 with an 80% zoom on a white background.

Students must have a score of at least 83 in ETS PTE Academic, which assesses the four domains of language ability. This test is offered at more than 40 locations around the world. It costs about $330 CAD. Students who qualify for the SDS program will receive a letter of introduction and a temporary resident visa to enter Canada.

Tuition Fees

SDS is an expedited study permit process offered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for students who meet certain eligibility requirements. The program offers faster processing times than the regular study permit application process and includes a reduced number of required documents. Students must also have a valid passport and be legally residing in their country of residence at the time of application. Other requirements include an upfront medical examination, official transcripts from the student’s most recent secondary or post-secondary school and a police certificate.

If you have paid tuition fees through SDS, you can get proof of this on your Student Service Centre (SSC) account by navigating to “Financial Summary” and selecting “SDS Tuition Prepayment” under Transaction Record. If you make your payment by international funds transfer, the receipt may not show the "Approved" status but it will be considered a valid proof of payment. You should be able to see this on your SSC account within a few days of making the payment.

Police Certificate

Once you’ve submitted your application, your visa office will review it. They’ll want to make sure that you meet all the requirements of the program you’re applying for. This includes showing that you have enough money to pay your first year of tuition fees, set up a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and cover living expenses for one year.

Depending on the program you’re applying for, you may need to submit police certificates. These are documents that show that you have no criminal record. You need them for each country you’ve lived in for more than six months. You also need them for your family members who are 18 years or older.

If you’re applying for Express Entry, you should apply for your police certificates in advance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This way, you can submit them when you need to. This will save you time and avoid delays in your application process.