Human beings have been fascinated by the moon for centuries. It has captured the imagination of poets, scientists, and adventurers alike. And now, in the 21st century, a new generation of explorers is setting its sights on our nearest celestial neighbor. Among them is a daring company that is preparing to attempt something that has not been done in more than 40 years: landing a spacecraft on the moon. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this ambitious project and explore how you can watch it unfold.
The Company: Introducing SpaceIL
The company behind the moon landing attempt is called SpaceIL. Founded in 2011 by three young entrepreneurs from Israel, SpaceIL has been working on its lunar mission for more than a decade. The company’s goal is to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers in Israel and around the world, and to make space exploration more accessible to people everywhere.
The Mission: Beresheet 2
SpaceIL’s mission is called Beresheet 2 (meaning “Genesis” in Hebrew). The spacecraft is designed to land on the moon’s surface and conduct scientific experiments to learn more about our closest neighbor. Beresheet 2 is a follow-up to SpaceIL’s previous lunar mission, Beresheet, which was launched in 2019. Unfortunately, Beresheet crashed during its landing attempt, but the SpaceIL team learned a great deal from the experience and is applying those lessons to Beresheet 2.
The Launch: Late 2023
SpaceIL has not yet announced a specific launch date for Beresheet 2, but the company has said that it is targeting the second half of 2023. The spacecraft will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Once it reaches space, Beresheet 2 will use its own propulsion system to travel to the moon.
The Landing: A Daring Maneuver
The most challenging part of the mission will be the landing. Beresheet 2 will need to make a soft landing on the moon’s surface, which is not an easy task. The spacecraft will need to slow down from its current speed of around 6,000 miles per hour to a complete stop in just a few minutes. To do this, Beresheet 2 will use its engines to fire in the opposite direction of its motion and gradually slow down. If all goes well, the spacecraft will touch down gently on the moon’s surface.
How to Watch the Mission
If you’re interested in watching SpaceIL’s moon landing attempt, there are several ways to do so. The company will be broadcasting the mission live on its website, as well as on its social media channels. You can also watch the launch and landing on SpaceX’s website, which will be providing live coverage of the event.
Conclusion
Space exploration is one of the most ambitious and exciting endeavors that humans have ever undertaken. The moon landing attempts by SpaceIL and other companies are a testament to our species’ insatiable curiosity and desire to explore the unknown. If you’re interested in watching this historic event, be sure to mark your calendar and tune in to the live broadcast. Who knows what discoveries we may make on the moon’s surface?
