Japan’s Lunar Explorer, known as the Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM) and affectionately dubbed the “Moon Sniper” for its remarkable precision, achieved a momentous feat by entering lunar orbit on Christmas, December 25.
On Monday, December 25, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) revealed that the Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM) accomplished a significant milestone by seamlessly entering the moon’s orbit at 04:51 PM Japan time (07:51 GMT). JAXA confirmed the probe’s trajectory shift unfolded as intended, maintaining the craft’s optimal conditions.
JAXA further disclosed that SLIM is poised to initiate its descent toward the moon around midnight Japan time on January 20, with the much-anticipated surface landing expected just 20 minutes later.
SLIM Aims for Unprecedented Accuracy
As per JAXA’s announcement, SLIM’s mission is on track to achieve a groundbreaking “unprecedentedly high precision landing” on the moon, showcasing an astonishing margin of error of under 100 meters—an unprecedented level of accuracy that is considered unattainable.
Shinichiro Sakai, the project manager for JAXA’s SLIM, underscored the evolving technological demands, noting, “Gone are the days when merely exploring ‘somewhere on the moon‘ was desired.” He emphasised the growing necessity for pinpoint accuracy in targeting specific lunar features, such as craters and rocks on the lunar surface.
SLIM Mission: Japan’s Lunar Breakthrough
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission from Japan was explicitly crafted to showcase advanced lunar landing technology, aiming to simplify the process of landing on more challenging terrains.
This technology holds particular significance as leading space agencies worldwide set their focus on the lunar south pole, which is believed to harbour substantial amounts of ice water potentially. The lunar south pole presents intricate terrain compared to the familiar Apollo landing sites, necessitating innovative landing solutions.
Japan’s vision extends beyond the moon. JAXA emphasises that the demand for precision landing technology will surge as humanity delves deeper into understanding the cosmos. This technology becomes increasingly vital as we aspire to land on intriguing locations across the universe, unravelling their mysteries.
SLIM not only showcases advanced lunar landing technology but also serves as a demonstration of lightweight and cost-effective lander technology with potential applications in sample return missions.
True to its name, SLIM is a relatively compact lander, standing at 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) tall and boasting a width of 8.8 feet (2.7 meters). At launch, it weighs 1,300 pounds (590 kilograms), with approximately two-thirds of that mass allocated to fuel. An exciting feature of SLIM is its crushable aluminium foam base positioned at the bottom of the spacecraft.
The targeted landing site for SLIM is the Shioli Crater, a 984-foot-wide (300 m) impact feature nestled within Mare Nectaris on the moon’s near side.
It may be recalled that, in an unforgettable moment etched in history, India soared to unprecedented heights by achieving the extraordinary feat of a soft landing on the lunar South Pole on August 23 at 18:03 IST. This triumphant event not only positioned India as the fourth country to land on the moon but, with immense pride, marked it as the first to achieve this groundbreaking feat by landing on the lunar south pole.
