The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced to the media at the Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture about Japan’s first lunar exploration mission.
Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM). (Illustrative photo).
This spacecraft is called the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), standing approximately 2.4 meters tall and weighing 200 kilograms.
According to the plan, JAXA’s unmanned spacecraft will test precise landing technology on the Moon and study its rocks. The spacecraft will utilize image recognition techniques to help identify craters and other geological features. JAXA aims to land the craft within 100 meters of the intended landing point.
Previously, JAXA planned to launch the SLIM lander using an H-IIA rocket in May 2023. However, the launch has been postponed.
Data obtained from the probe will be used for the Artemis program led by the United States, aiming to send astronauts to the Moon.
The director of the SLIM project team, Sakai Shinichiro, stated that this mission presents a significant challenge. He mentioned that the project is entering its final stages, and the team is working diligently to ensure a successful landing.
