Japan has successfully launched two ambitious space missions using a single rocket. The first mission is the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), which aims to make a soft landing on the moon. If successful, Japan will become the fifth country to achieve this feat after the US, the Soviet Union, China, and India. SLIM has been nicknamed “Moon Sniper” because it is equipped with sensors and cameras to ensure a highly accurate landing within a 100-meter radius.
The second mission involves positioning an X-ray telescope, known as the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), in Earth orbit. XRISM is a collaborative project between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), NASA, and the European Space Agency. It will provide astronomers and astrophysicists with a means to explore deep space while orbiting Earth at an altitude of approximately 550 kilometers.
JAXA’s launch of SLIM and XRISM follows the recent moon missions carried out by India and Russia. India successfully launched its Chandrayaan-3 mission, while Russia’s Luna 25 mission unfortunately ended in a catastrophic crash. SLIM’s launch was initially scheduled for August 23 but was delayed due to poor weather conditions.
The SLIM mission is particularly significant for Japan, as it comes after the failures of two previous Japanese moon missions, OMOTENASHI and Hakuto-R. The moon probe will take about four months to reach lunar orbit using an efficient route and will spend around a month orbiting before attempting to land in 2024. Upon landing, SLIM will deploy two probes: a spherical probe called Sora-Q, designed by a Japanese toy-maker known for creating Transformers, which will roll across the lunar surface, and a second probe called Lunar Excursion Vehicle 1 (LEV-1), which will “hop” across the surface.
Overall, Japan’s dual mission of landing on the moon and placing an X-ray telescope in Earth orbit demonstrates the country’s ongoing efforts to advance space exploration.
Insights
- Japan’s SLIM mission aims to make a soft landing on the moon, which would make Japan the fifth country to achieve this milestone.
- The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) is a collaborative project between JAXA, NASA, and the European Space Agency, allowing astronomers and astrophysicists to explore deep space.
- This launch follows recent moon missions by India and Russia, highlighting the global interest in lunar exploration.
- The SLIM mission is a significant endeavor for Japan, following the failures of previous Japanese moon missions.
