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Japan's space agency, JAXA, has announced the successful landing of its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) craft on the lunar surface, marking a significant milestone in Japan's space exploration endeavors.

 

The craft touched down approximately 55 meters (180 feet) from its intended target, as revealed by the first images transmitted back to Earth.

 

The photographs captured by a mini-rover showcased the SLIM lander positioned intact, albeit slightly tilted, against the rocky grey backdrop of the Moon's terrain. This achievement solidifies Japan's position as the fifth nation in the world to accomplish a precise soft landing on the Moon, following the United States, Soviet Union, China, and India.

 

JAXA's confirmation of the pinpoint landing was accompanied by news of a setback, as the lightweight craft's solar batteries failed to generate sufficient electricity. Approximately three hours post-landing, with only 12 percent power remaining, JAXA made the decision to power down SLIM temporarily, with plans for a potential reactivation once the sun's angle changes. This anticipated change in solar alignment could occur within a week, as the craft's solar cells are currently facing west.

 

The primary objective of the SLIM mission is to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Moon's origins, with a particular focus on analyzing minerals using specialized camera equipment. Positioned near the Shioli crater, amidst a landscape dominated by volcanic rock, the craft aims to provide insights into the presence of water resources on the Moon—a crucial factor for future lunar exploration and the establishment of human bases, potentially serving as waypoints on the journey to Mars.

 

The successful SLIM mission comes on the heels of recent lunar exploration endeavors, including a setback faced by a US private company just 10 days prior, when its mission encountered a fuel leak shortly after launch.

 

In contrast, SLIM's journey began in September, launched atop a Mitsubishi Heavy H2A rocket. After orbiting Earth initially, the craft successfully entered lunar orbit on December 25th, paving the way for its historic touchdown.