Japan to Achieve Historic Moon Landing, Becoming Fifth Nation Ever
Tomorrow marks a pivotal moment for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as it endeavors to achieve a groundbreaking feat in space exploration. The agency is set to launch its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, on a mission to land on the Moon successfully. If triumphant, Japan will join the exclusive ranks of nations that have achieved lunar landings, becoming the fifth globally and the third in the 21st century after China and India.
Precision Landing and Lunar Exploration
SLIM is scheduled to initiate its descent at 10 am ET on Friday (midnight Saturday in Japan), aiming for a soft touchdown just 20 minutes later. This mission is a crucial milestone for JAXA, as SLIM seeks to showcase unprecedented accuracy in lunar landing, a feat not yet accomplished by any previous mission.
The goal is to land within 100 meters (330 feet) of a specific target area, a precision far beyond historical lunar landings.
Moon Sniper’s Advanced Navigation
In a departure from past lunar missions, SLIM leverages cutting-edge software initially designed for facial recognition. This innovative technology enables SLIM to determine its location precisely throughout the descent and landing phases.
Utilizing data gathered by JAXA’s SELENE mission (Kaguya), SLIM is equipped to navigate and land with remarkable precision. Its moniker, “Moon Sniper,” aptly captures the mission’s accuracy.
Objectives and Challenges
JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa emphasized SLIM’s primary objective as proving a “high-accuracy landing” during a September news conference. The mission aims not only to land on the lunar surface but to do so precisely, choosing the landing site rather than settling for a feasible location.
If all goes according to plan, SLIM will deploy two rovers upon landing. The first rover, equipped with cameras and scientific payloads, utilizes a hopping mechanism for mobility. The second rover, weighing just 250 grams (9 ounces), boasts shape-shifting capabilities to adapt optimally to lunar conditions.
Challenges Faced in Lunar Exploration
As evident from past setbacks, the quest for lunar exploration comes with formidable challenges. JAXA’s OMOTENASHI lander and other notable missions, including a private US endeavor, faced complications or communication losses during their lunar endeavors. The difficulty of reaching and landing on the Moon, coupled with the precision required, underscores the significance of SLIM’s upcoming attempt.
In a recent development, the private US mission Peregrine-One encountered failure, culminating in the burning and re-entry of its spacecraft into Earth’s atmosphere on January 18. These challenges highlight the complexities of lunar exploration and the risks accompanying ambitious space missions.
Read the original article IFL Science.
Read more: Historic Launch: First U.S. Lunar Lander in Over 50 Years Sets Course for the Moon.
