Japan’s Lunar Mission: JAXA Slim Lander
On September 7, Japan launched its H-IIA rocket which carried the JAXA moon lander. The lander is supposed to land on the moon early next year which is a span of 4-6months. According to Reuters reports, the launch finally took place after it was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions.
35,000 viewers gathered online to watch the rocket launch which took place in Tanegashima, Southern Japan. It also carries a research satellite which is developed by NASA.
ISRO congratulated the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on its successful launch of the lander SLIM. This further will aid in investigating the moon. SLIM stands for Smart Lander for Investigating Moon.
JAXA’s Words
Before the launch, JAXA said:
“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,” said JAXA, before the launch.
“By achieving this, it will become possible to land on planets even more resource-scarce than the Moon. Globally there are no previous instances of pinpoint landing on celestial bodies with significant gravity such as the Moon,”
ISRO wishes to Japan’s JAXA
The Bengaluru-based space agency ISRO congratulated and conveyed its best wishes to JAXA for its lunar mission. It also expressed its support for the endeavors of the global space community.
Congratulations @JAXA_en on the successful launch of the SLIM lander to the moon.
Best wishes for another successful lunar endeavour by the global space community. https://t.co/7HSjtoFHx7
— ISRO (@isro) September 7, 2023
This launch follows the recent achievement of India after becoming the fourth nation to land on the moon’s lunar surface.
Mission Objectives
The space mission objectives are to help scientists to understand the universe’s creation and celestial object formation. It is conducted along with the collaboration of NASA. The mission also aims to study the light at different wavelengths and temperature assessments. It is also going to work on analyzing the shapes and brightness of celestial objects as reported by AP.
The SLIM is also known as Moon Sniper called after its precision landing technology. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufactured the rocket H-IIA.
Thus, these are the mission objectives of Japan’s JAXA.