TOKYO: Japan’s SLIM space probe entered the Moon’s orbit on Monday in a major step towards the country’s first successful lunar landing, expected next month.
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is nicknamed the “Moon Sniper” because it is designed to land within 100 meters (328 feet) of a specific target on the lunar surface.
If successful, the touchdown would make Japan only the fifth country to have successfully landed a probe on the Moon, after the United States, Russia, China and India.
On Monday, SLIM “successfully entered the moon’s orbit at 04:51 pm Japan time”, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said in a statement released on Monday evening.
“Its trajectory shift was achieved as originally planned, and there is nothing out of the ordinary about the probe’s conditions,” the agency said.
The lander’s descent towards the moon is expected to start around 12am Japan time on January 20, with its landing on the surface scheduled for 20 minutes later, JAXA said.
The H-IIA rocket lifted off in September from the southern island of Tanegashima carrying the lander, after three postponements linked to bad weather.
Relevant News & Blogs
After Bill Gates, CEO Of Nokia To Also Visit Pakistan With Investment Potential
Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, Dr. Umar Saif, has disclosed an...
More10 Emerging Skills for Professionals
Ten critical soft skills leaders should maximize to improve their leadership capabilities and...
More10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills
Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to...
MoreJapan’s moon lander enters orbit
TOKYO: Japan’s SLIM space probe entered the Moon’s orbit on Monday in a major step...
MoreCommunication Technology and Inclusion Will Shape the Future of Remote Work
Remote work was rare a decade ago. Working from home was usually available only as a special...
MoreWhat Is The Link Between The Supply Of Money & Inflation?
When there is an increased supply of money in the economy, people tend to spend that money more,...
More