Japan is embarking on a new lunar mission with the H-IIA rocket and its SLIM lunar module. This mission aims to test high-precision lunar landing technology, which would be a first for the Japanese space agency, Jaxa.
After several postponements due to unfavorable weather conditions, the H-IIA rocket finally took off Thursday morning from the Jaxa launch base in Tanegashima, southwest Japan. On board is the SLIM lunar module, nicknamed “Moon Sniper”, which is designed to land with an accuracy of up to 100 meters, a marked improvement over previous lunar missions.
About 45 minutes after liftoff, the separation between the lunar module and the rest of the rocket took place successfully, sparking great joy and applause at the Jaxa control center. This technological feat will allow future lunar exploration robots to move more efficiently over rough terrain, improving scientific data collection.
In addition to lunar landing accuracy, the SLIM module will also have the mission of analyzing the composition of lunar rocks, in particular those coming from the lunar mantle. This study will deepen our knowledge of the internal structure of the Moon, which is still largely unknown.
This Japanese lunar mission is attracting great interest, as evidenced by the number of people who followed the takeoff live on YouTube. It is part of a global race to explore the Moon, with India having successfully placed a machine on the lunar surface last month. The United States, the Soviet Union and China have also accomplished this feat in the past.
Jaxa has experienced some failures in its previous lunar exploration attempts, but this new mission marks a new start for the Japanese agency. If successful, it will open up new prospects for Japanese space exploration and enhance Japan’s importance in the field of scientific research.