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In an effort to recover from the setbacks, Japan is set to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface with the smart lander for the lunar probe on the morning of Saturday (January 20).
The country wants to join the exclusive club of countries that have achieved successful soft landing on the Moon. The United States, Russia (then USSR), China, and India have achieved this feat, with Japan eager to overcome its exclusion.
Designed to land within 100 meters of its target, SLIM aims to revolutionize lunar exploration. JAXA Director Hiroshi Yamakawa envisions the mission enabling a precision landing, symbolizing a new era in lunar exploration.
Historic rivalries and recent challenges
Japan, which launched its first satellite in 1970 before China, has faced challenges in recent years. China’s notable achievements, including a soft landing on the far side of the Moon in 2019 and a landing on Mars in 2021, have increased the pressure on Japan.
Despite previous lunar efforts, Japan’s space agency, JAXA, faced setbacks with a lunar lander in 2022 and a communications failure with a probe in April 2023. Technical challenges, including the failure of the H3 heavy-lift rocket and the explosion involving the Epsilon rocket, have also hindered progress.
Major Japanese corporations, including Toyota and Honda, are now collaborating with JAXA on lunar projects. Success in lunar exploration could strengthen Japan’s position in the emerging “lunar economy”. Corporate partnerships with entities such as Japan Airlines, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and Citizens.
Strategic importance and security concerns
Internationally, Japan aims to increase its security presence in space. The recent addition of spy satellites to Japan’s network is in line with the regional race for space technologies. In the face of competition, it is important to strengthen space-based surveillance and communications capabilities for military purposes.
As Japan plans to land on the Moon, the mission will be live-streamed on JAXA’s YouTube channel, ensuring transparency and engagement with the public. The landing, expected shortly after midnight on January 20 Tokyo time, marks a key moment in Japan’s space exploration efforts.
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Published: Jan 19, 2024, 06:47 am IST
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