Japan has made history by becoming the fifth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon, marking a significant milestone in the country's space exploration efforts. The precision-engineered "Moon Sniper" lander, officially known as the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) probe, made its landing on the lunar surface, showcasing Japan's advanced technology in space exploration.
However, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported a concern with the lander's power supply, prompting officials to "check its status." Additionally, the analysis of whether the spacecraft achieved a pinpoint landing, a crucial aspect of the mission, is still underway. Despite these challenges, Hitoshi Kuninaka, head of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, expressed optimism, stating that rovers were launched, and data was being transmitted back to Earth.
The SLIM probe initiated its "power descent sequence" towards the lunar surface, with a particular focus on gathering essential moon data. JAXA officials mentioned that while the solar battery was not generating power, the craft's battery life was limited to a few more hours, necessitating a swift gathering of data on the remaining battery.
The success of the lunar landing positions Japan as a key player in lunar exploration, especially in the pursuit of lunar water and the potential for human habitation. The SLIM project manager, Shinichiro Sakai, highlighted the strategic advantage this achievement provides for Japan in international missions, including participation in NASA's Artemis program.
Japan joins an exclusive group of nations, including India, China, the United States, and Russia, that have achieved successful lunar landings. The accomplishment comes as part of Japan's broader strategy to expand its role in space activities, forge partnerships, and address geopolitical challenges posed by the growing influence of China in the space domain.
Despite previous setbacks, such as the launch failure of the H3 rocket, Japan remains committed to space exploration. JAXA is actively participating in NASA's Artemis program, aiming to send one of its astronauts to the moon. The Moon Sniper's successful landing reinforces Japan's high-precision technology, positioning it as a significant contributor to future lunar exploration efforts.
Additionally, on board, the Moon Sniper spacecraft is the shape-shifting SORA-Q probe, co-developed with toy company Takara Tomy, reminiscent of a Star Wars droid. This little robot is designed to navigate the lunar surface, capture valuable images, and transmit data to Earth, adding an innovative element to Japan's lunar exploration mission.