Japan’s space agency, JAXA, confirmed the successful pinpoint landing of its moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), near Shioli crater on January 19. Despite a main engine failure during descent, SLIM achieved a controlled landing within 55 meters of its designated spot, showcasing remarkable precision. Japan now joins the ranks of countries accomplishing soft-landings on the moon. SLIM’s advanced landing technology will contribute to lunar exploration advancements, with potential collaborations between JAXA and India’s ISRO on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, targeting the moon’s south pole region.
Japan Achieves Pinpoint Moon Landing with SLIM Mission, Aiming for Lunar Exploration Advancements
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