Japan’s unmanned spacecraft achieved a historic feat early Saturday as it became the fifth country to land on the moon. The successful soft landing marks a significant achievement for Japan’s space program.

Space authorities stated that further examination was required to determine if the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) successfully completed its primary objective of achieving a precise landing. They additionally noted that the spacecraft’s solar panel was not functioning, potentially limiting its capabilities on the lunar surface.

According to Hitoshi Kuninaka, the director of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (a division of Japan’s space agency), the small rovers of the SLIM mission were successfully launched and are currently sending data back to Earth.

However, he mentioned that the solar battery of SLIM was not producing electricity and that it had a limited amount of time left before running out of power. He stated that the main focus was for the spacecraft to collect as much information as possible about its landing and the moon before the battery dies.

Japan has joined the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India in successfully landing on the moon.

According to Kuninaka, Japan’s space program has at least achieved a “minimum” level of success.

SLIM landed on the moon at about 12:20 a.m. Tokyo time Saturday (1520 GMT Friday).

After initially announcing that SLIM had successfully landed on the moon, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s mission control caused a tense period of waiting for updates as they stated they were “checking its status.” It was not until almost two hours later at a news conference that they provided any further information.

In order for the mission to be deemed completely successful, space authorities had to verify if SLIM performed a precise landing. Kuninaka stated that although additional time was required, he believed it was highly probable based on his analysis of the spacecraft’s movement leading up to and after the landing, as well as its ability to send signals. He mentioned that the solar panel may not be at the intended angle, but there is still optimism.

Despite the solar panel issue, “it’s delightful news,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, pledging the government’s continuing backing for the endeavors toward new challenges.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also lauded SLIM’s landing with an X message, congratulating Japan “on being the historic 5th country to land successfully on the Moon! We value our partnership in the cosmos and continued collaboration” in the U.S.-led multinational Artemis Moon exploration.

SLIM, which was aiming to hit a very small target, is a lightweight spacecraft about the size of a passenger vehicle. It was using “pinpoint landing” technology that promises far greater control than any previous moon landing.

Previous missions typically selected landing sites with a radius of 10 kilometers (6 miles), whereas SLIM aimed for a much smaller target of only 100 meters (330 feet).

Hiroshi Yamakawa, the president of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), stated that a successful landing with such precision would be a monumental achievement and a crucial advancement for creating a sustainable, long-term, and precise system for space probes. This would be the first accomplishment of its kind in the world.

According to Yamakawa, Japan requires advanced technology in order to participate in global space initiatives and maintain its position.

The project was the result of twenty years of effort in precision technology by JAXA.

The spacecraft called SLIM, also known as “the Moon Sniper,” began its descent at midnight on Saturday. Within a span of 15 minutes, it reached a distance of about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the lunar surface, according to JAXA, the space agency.

The lander was descending vertically at an altitude of five kilometers (three miles), and when it reached a height of 50 meters (165 feet) above the surface, JAXA planned for SLIM to move parallelly in order to locate a secure landing spot.

According to JAXA, the spacecraft was experimenting with technology that would enable moon missions to land in specific locations, instead of easier but potentially less desirable landing spots. Additionally, the spacecraft was tasked with gathering information about the moon’s origins by utilizing a specialized camera to analyze its minerals.

The SLIM spacecraft, with a cushioned pad on each of its five legs, was attempting to touch down near the Shioli crater, which is surrounded by an area of volcanic terrain.

The highly anticipated mission occurred just 10 days following a failed moon mission by a U.S. private company due to a fuel leak that occurred hours after the launch.

In September, the launch of SLIM took place on a Mitsubishi Heavy H2A rocket. The spacecraft first orbited Earth before ultimately entering a lunar orbit on December 25th.

Japan is aiming to rebuild trust in its capabilities in space following several unsuccessful attempts. In April, a spacecraft created by a Japanese company experienced a crash during a mission to land on the moon, and in March, a new flagship rocket failed its first launch.

JAXA has a history of successful landings in challenging circumstances. In 2014, their Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully touched down twice on the 900-meter-long asteroid Ryugu, collecting samples that were later brought back to Earth.

A precise and successful landing by SLIM, particularly on the moon, would elevate Japan’s presence in the worldwide competition for space technology.

According to Takeshi Tsuchiya, a professor of aeronautics at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering, it is crucial to verify the precision of landing in a designated location.

He stated that it is crucial to demonstrate Japan’s advanced technology in order to establish Japan’s role in developing the moon. Exploring resources on the moon is significant, and it can also serve as a launchpad for missions to other planets such as Mars.

According to experts, Japan must prove its reliability in precision landing technology in order to remain competitive.

Officials stated that SLIM had transported two compact self-directed probes, known as lunar excursion vehicles LEV-1 and LEV-2, which were thought to have been deployed shortly before landing.

LEV-1’s mission is to capture footage of SLIM’s touchdown, using its antenna and camera. LEV-2, a spherical rover created by JAXA in collaboration with Sony, toy company Tomy, and Doshisha University, is equipped with two cameras.

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This report was contributed to by Ayaka McGill.

Source: wral.com