Tokyo company loses contact with moon lander carrying UAE Rashid Rover, fate unknown

DUBAI: A Japanese company tried to land its own spacecraft on the moon early Wednesday, but its fate was unknown as flight controllers lost contact with it moments before the planned touchdown.

The spacecraft carried a mini lunar rover for the United Arab Emirates and a toylike robot from Japan designed to roll around in the moon dust. There were also items from private customers on board.

Flight controllers peered at their screens in Tokyo, expressionless, as the minutes went by with still no word from the lander.