Japan’s Historic Moon Landing: Precision Triumph with Slim Probe

Japan made history by landing its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (Slim) probe on the lunar surface, becoming the fifth nation to achieve this feat. Using pinpoint technology, Japan aims to leverage its high-precision capabilities for future Moon exploration. This success follows previous lunar setbacks and positions Japan as a key player in space endeavors.

• On Friday, Japan achieved a historic milestone by becoming the fifth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon, joining the ranks of the US, the Soviet Union, China, and India.

• The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) accomplished this feat with its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (Slim) probe, affectionately called the “Moon Sniper.” The spacecraft landed on the slope of a crater just south of the lunar equator, utilizing precise “pinpoint technology” to achieve a landing within 100 meters (330 feet) of the target spot on the surface.

• This pinpoint technology, previously employed by Japan for successful asteroid landings, provides a significant advantage for upcoming international missions, such as NASA’s Artemis program, according to Shinichiro Sakai, JAXA’s SLIM project manager.

• JAXA emphasizes that its high-precision technology will serve as a valuable tool for future exploration of the Moon’s hilly poles, which are considered potential sources of oxygen, fuel, and water.

• The successful Moon landing marks a turnaround for Japan in space exploration, following two failed lunar missions and recent rocket failures, including explosions after take-off.

• Upon landing, Slim will release two mini-probes developed by tech giant Sony Group, toymaker Tomy, and various Japanese universities. These probes include a hopping vehicle, comparable in size to a microwave oven, and a baseball-sized wheeled rover. Their mission is to capture images of the spacecraft.

• Japan’s interest in space exploration is growing, with plans to play a larger role in collaboration with the United States to counter China’s military and technological advancements in space. Japan has a thriving private-sector space industry and aims to send an astronaut to the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis program.

• In a similar vein, India’s Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic touchdown on the Moon’s south pole in August of the previous year, showcasing India’s emergence as a significant player in space exploration.

• Looking ahead, Japan is set to collaborate with India on a joint unmanned lunar polar exploration mission in 2025, further solidifying its commitment to space exploration and international partnerships.