Photo/Illutration A rocket carrying the Hakuto-R lunar lander developed by Japanese startup ispace Inc. lifts off on Dec. 11. (Captured from live streaming by SpaceX)

New pocket planners and calendars on display in stores are a reminder the year is coming to an end.

With only a fortnight to go, I keep consulting my calendar, trying to figure out how best to complete unfinished work, clean up my place and deal with other chores in preparation for the new year.

I learned from the book “Koyomi to Uranai” (Calendar and divination) by Hisashi Nagata (1925-1995) that the origin of the word “calendar” has to do with the moon.

According to the book, the word derived from the Latin “calo” (to announce solemnly) as a priest in ancient times called out the sighting of the new moon, considered the first day of the month, to the eagerly awaiting public.

Even today, the moon has the mysterious power to fascinate anyone looking at it.

I imagine that must be the case with workers at ispace Inc., a Japanese space venture company.

Its Hakuto-R lunar lander, launched on Dec. 11, successfully entered orbit on its 380,000-kilometer mission.

I understand the project name of “hakuto” (a white rabbit) came from the traditional lore of the rabbit on the moon.

Space development used to be synonymous with national projects, but private enterprises are now competing in the field.

I wonder if the next generation of humanity will be able to see our blue Earth from the moon. My dream grows.

The Hakuto-R is scheduled to reach its destination in about four-and-a-half months.

Expected to become the world’s first privately developed lander to reach the moon, it will first travel 1.5 million kilometers away from the Earth. The detour, developers say, will enable a fuel-efficient voyage due to gravity balance.

However, there is the possibility of another privately developed lunar lander reaching the destination faster.

But so what? The hare in Aesop’s Fables learned the hard way that slow and steady wins the race.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 14

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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