TOKYO — Japan’s space agency has achieved a major milestone with its successful lunar mission, despite a few hiccups along the way. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, made history by becoming the fifth country to reach the moon’s surface. Although the probe experienced some technical difficulties, it managed to hit the tiny patch of the moon’s surface it was aiming for, showcasing the agency’s precision landing system.
Unlike previous probes, SLIM aimed for a target area of just 330 feet, demonstrating improved accuracy that could provide scientists with access to more of the moon’s surface. However, a malfunction in one of the lander’s main engines caused a harder landing than planned, and the probe ended up lying upside down on the lunar surface.
Despite the landing mishap, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is hopeful that the probe will be able to recharge when the moon enters its daytime in the coming days. Project manager Shinichiro Sakai expressed his excitement at the images sent back by the autonomous probes, describing the moment as a realization of their hard work and dedication.
LEV-1, a hopping robot, and LEV-2, a baseball-sized rover, were instrumental in capturing and transmitting images of SLIM’s landing, making them the world’s first to achieve this mission. The successful mission is a testament to Japan’s two decades of work on precision technology by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
SLIM, also known as “the Moon Sniper,” was designed to seek clues about the origin of the moon and analyze minerals with a special camera. The mission, which was launched on a Mitsubishi Heavy H2A rocket in September, is a significant step forward for Japan’s space technology, following a series of setbacks in previous missions.
Japan’s determination to explore and understand the moon’s surface has solidified its position as a key player in space exploration, and the successful SLIM mission marks a new era in lunar exploration.
Disagree. Unfortunate error, but kudos to Japan for reaching the moon!
Good grammar and punctuation, uncaring opinion: Who cares if it’s inverted? They made it to the moon!