Japan successfully launched a rocket carrying a lunar exploration spacecraft on September 7, marking a significant step in the nation’s pursuit of becoming the world’s fifth country to achieve a moon landing.
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency announced that the domestically developed H-IIA rocket took off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan on Thursday. The mission proceeded as planned, with the successful deployment of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
Japan’s space agency live-streamed the launch of the H2-A rocket at 8:42 a.m. local time. Around 35,000 viewers from around the globe witnessed the live launch. The $100m mission is expected to reach the moon by February 2024.
In addition to its lunar ambitions, the rocket carried the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission. This satellite will play a crucial role in high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of the universe’s hot gas plasma wind, advancing our understanding of mass and energy flows, as well as the composition and evolution of celestial objects.
The mission isn’t solely about Japan’s Moon aspirations. The rocket also carried a collaborative research satellite developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, in partnership with NASA and the European Space Agency. This international cooperation underscored the significance of this mission in the global context of space exploration.
About the Moon Lander
Japan’s Moon lander, officially known as the Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon, is a compact yet highly precise spacecraft. SLIM’s primary objective is to execute a pinpoint landing within 100 meters of a predetermined target on the lunar surface, a remarkable feat compared to the traditional landing range of several kilometers.
“By creating the Slim lander humans will make a qualitative shift towards being able to land where we want and not just where it is easy to land,” Jaxa said before the launch.
“By achieving this, it will become possible to land on planets even more resource scarce than the Moon.”
Remarkably, this mission is unprecedented in the history of space exploration. According to Jaxa, there have been no previous instances of achieving pinpoint landings on celestial bodies with significant gravity, such as the Moon.
Previous challenges faced by Japan
Japan’s determination to succeed in this endeavor is evident, especially given previous lunar mission setbacks, including the failed lunar probe Omotenashi launched last year as part of the US’s Artemis program.
Japan has also faced challenges with its launch rockets, including failures of the next-generation H3 model and the normally reliable solid-fuel Epsilon. These hurdles underscore the complexity and inherent risks associated with space exploration, even for a nation with a storied history of technological prowess.
Nevertheless, Japan’s latest mission signifies its unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. This launch represents a new chapter in lunar exploration, demonstrating Japan’s resilience and determination to contribute to humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.