The other spacecraft, developed by Japan-based company Ispace, is just now arriving at its destination. Resilience, as the uncrewed lunar lander is called, is on track to make its touchdown attempt at 3:24 p.

A private lunar lander from Japan descended toward a touchdown on the moon Friday, but flight controllers lost contact with the spacecraft and were unsure of its fate. The Tokyo-based company ispace said its lander dropped out of lunar orbit as planned. But there was no immediate word on the outcome, following the hourlong descent.

A private lunar lander from Japan is closing in on the moon, aiming for a touchdown in the unexplored far north