A Landmark Moment for Japan in the Global Space Race
Japan has achieved the status of being the fifth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon. This triumph holds particular importance as it serves as a moment of redemption following the failure of a moon landing attempt by a spacecraft developed by a private Japanese space company last year.
Japan has accomplished a historic lunar landing with the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), showcasing precision technology and innovative techniques in the nation’s space exploration journey.
Telemetry data revealed that SLIM successfully touched down near the Shioli crater, marking a remarkable feat for Japan’s space agency, JAXA. However, the triumph is not without challenges, as the spacecraft faces potential limitations due to a power failure.
While SLIM has communicated with the ground station and responded accurately to Earth’s commands, a notable concern has emerged – the solar cells are not generating electricity. Currently reliant solely on its battery, SLIM’s remaining operational time is limited to the duration the battery can sustain.
Despite the setback, the landing is hailed as a major win for Asia, positioning Japan as a key player in the global lunar exploration arena. Only China, India, and Japan have successfully landed spacecraft on the Moon in the past decade, with India achieving success in August 2023.
SLIM’s primary goal was to achieve an unprecedented landing accuracy of 100 meters, representing a significant advancement from previous lunar missions. Equipped with vision-based navigation technology, SLIM captured images of the lunar surface during its descent, allowing it to locate itself with remarkable precision.
The landing technique employed by SLIM deviates from traditional approaches, with the spacecraft designed to hit a 15-degree slope outside the Shioli crater before stabilizing on four front legs. However, uncertainties persist regarding the execution of the planned two-step landing, as insufficient data on SLIM’s posture and orientation are available.
Speculations arise that SLIM may have rolled during touchdown, potentially hindering its solar cells from facing the Sun. If sunlight reaches the solar cells, there remains hope for SLIM’s revival. Additionally, two small robots intended to capture images of the lander and return them to Earth may provide valuable insights, though their successful deployment is yet to be confirmed.
In the event SLIM is reactivated, scientists plan to utilize its specialized camera, the sole scientific instrument onboard, to search for olivine in the Moon’s mantle. Detecting olivine’s components and comparing them with Earth could offer new evidence supporting the theory that the Moon was once part of Earth.
SLIM’s success extends Japan’s influence in the international space community, potentially giving the nation a competitive edge in the US-led Artemis Program aimed at returning humans to the Moon. The pinpoint landing technology demonstrated by SLIM showcases Japan’s commitment to international cooperation in space exploration.
However, the achievement may intensify regional competition, particularly between Japan and India. Both nations, having mastered soft lunar landing technologies, plan a joint Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX) that could rival China’s Chang’e-7 mission set to explore the lunar south pole region in 2026.
In the broader context of lunar exploration, SLIM’s success contributes to the increasing interest in the Moon. The mission is the second lunar landing attempt of the year, following challenges faced by the US Peregrine spacecraft. Intuitive Machines, a US company, is poised to continue the quest to become the first commercial entity to land a spacecraft on the Moon in the coming month. Additionally, China’s Chang’e-6 mission later this year aims to collect samples from the far side of the Moon.
In conclusion, Japan’s successful lunar landing with SLIM represents a significant milestone in space exploration, emphasizing precision technology and innovative techniques. While challenges persist, the potential scientific discoveries and technological advancements demonstrated by SLIM contribute to the expanding landscape of lunar exploration, solidifying Japan’s role in the global space race.
Evan Archer, a seasoned journalist with an insatiable curiosity for unraveling the complexities of global affairs, stands at the forefront of contemporary world news. Born with an innate passion for storytelling, Archer has dedicated his career to shedding light on the intricate tapestry of international events, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of geopolitical dynamics.
