Japan's "Moon Sniper" SLIM space probe enters lunar orbit

Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), affectionately dubbed the “Moon Sniper,” has seamlessly entered the Moon’s orbit, marking a pivotal milestone in Japan’s quest for a historic lunar landing slated for next month.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported that SLIM achieved its trajectory shift as planned, entering the lunar orbit at 04:51 pm Japan time on Monday.

The space probe’s conditions were reported to be normal, setting the stage for the much-anticipated lunar touchdown.

If successful, Japan will join an elite group of nations – the United States, Russia, China, and India – as the fifth country to accomplish the feat of landing a probe on the lunar surface.

SLIM is designed with unmatched precision, aiming to touch down within an impressive 100 meters (328 feet) of its targeted landing spot.

JAXA disclosed that SLIM’s descent towards the Moon is scheduled to commence around 12:00 am Japan time on January 20, with the expected landing just 20 minutes later.

The H-IIA rocket carried the lander into space in September after overcoming three postponements due to adverse weather conditions on the southern island of Tanegashima.

Described as an “unprecedentedly high precision landing” mission, SLIM’s margin of error of under 100 meters signifies a level of accuracy previously considered unattainable.

The lander is equipped with a unique spherical probe developed in collaboration with a toy company. Slightly larger than a tennis ball, this probe can alter its shape to navigate the lunar surface.

JAXA’s SLIM project manager, Shinichiro Sakai, expressed that the achievement reflects a 20-year effort by researchers, marking a significant leap forward in lunar exploration technology. Sakai noted the growing demand for pinpointing targets like craters and rocks on the Moon’s surface, highlighting that SLIM’s precision could facilitate the sampling of lunar permafrost, potentially unraveling the mystery surrounding water resources on the Moon.

Japan’s previous lunar missions faced setbacks, with the recent failure of the lunar probe named Omotenashi and a private attempt by ispace that ended in communication loss after a “hard landing.”

However, SLIM’s success has reignited optimism and positioned Japan at the forefront of lunar exploration.

As the world watches with bated breath, Japan inches closer to making history with a precise lunar landing that could unlock new frontiers in scientific exploration.