Japan's highly precise "Moon Sniper" lander has successfully landed on the lunar surface, marking a historic achievement for the country, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
However, the agency has reported that they are currently "checking its status" due to an issue with the craft's power supply. Officials have also stated that they require more time to analyze whether the unmanned spacecraft achieved a pinpoint landing, which was one of the mission's key objectives.
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) probe initiated its "power descent sequence" towards the lunar surface early Saturday local time (15:00 GMT Friday), as confirmed by JAXA.
Hitoshi Kuninaka, head of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, stated that they believe rovers were deployed and data was being transmitted back to Earth. However, he noted that SLIM's solar battery was not generating power, and the spacecraft's battery life was limited to a few more hours. The primary focus is now on gathering as much moon data as possible before the battery depletes.
Kuninaka explained that it takes 30 days for the solar angle to change on the moon, which could potentially affect the solar cell's ability to generate power. He expressed confidence that SLIM achieved a landing with 100-meter accuracy, a significant improvement over the conventional accuracy of several kilometers. Verification of this information is expected to take about a month.
With this successful landing, Japan has become the fifth country in the world to land a spacecraft on the moon, following the United States, Russia, China, and India. Japan's technology is considered unprecedented and vital for advancing lunar exploration, particularly in the search for lunar water and the potential for human habitation.
Looking ahead, Japan aims to leverage its technological advancements in future international missions, such as NASA's Artemis program. JAXA is actively participating in partnerships with the US and is committed to expanding its role in space activities.
Despite previous setbacks, including a launch failure in March, JAXA remains focused on utilizing its high-precision technology for future lunar exploration missions. The agency plans to collaborate with India on a joint unmanned lunar polar exploration in 2025.
Onboard the "Moon Sniper" is a unique robot called SORA-Q, designed to traverse the lunar surface and capture images. Developed in collaboration with a major toy company, the shape-shifting probe is expected to provide valuable insights into the moon's surface features.
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