Title: Japan’s “Moon Sniper” Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit, Aims for Historic Robotic Landing
Japan’s space agency made history on Christmas Day as its “Moon Sniper” lander successfully entered lunar orbit, bringing the nation one step closer to achieving its goal of landing a robotic explorer on the moon’s surface. If successful, Japan will become the fifth country to land a vehicle on the moon and the third in the 21st century.
Currently completing one loop around the moon every 6.4 hours, the lander will gradually tighten its orbit in the coming weeks in preparation for its descent. China and India are the only countries to have accomplished successful lunar landings this century, making Japan’s mission a significant endeavor.
The primary objective of Japan’s robotic explorer is to demonstrate a “pinpoint” landing and gather valuable data about lunar rocks. As the spacecraft’s descent takes place, it will come within a strikingly close 9 miles of the moon’s surface, showcasing the precision and sophistication of Japanese space technology.
In an eagerly anticipated move, the Moon Sniper lander is set to attempt a soft touchdown on either January 19 or January 20. Its landing zone, spanning approximately 328 feet, has earned it the apt nickname “Moon Sniper” – an indication of the mission’s precision and accuracy.
The significance of this landing cannot be overstated, especially considering the lack of recent successful attempts by private and national space agencies to reach the moon’s surface. Japan’s accomplishment could potentially pave the way for further advancements in lunar exploration.
The SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) mission is expected to explore a site near the historic Apollo 11 landing site, further adding to its significance. While the United States remains the only country to have landed humans on the moon, NASA has not done so since 1972. However, the agency is planning to launch three robotic vehicles to the moon’s surface in the coming year.
Looking ahead, NASA aims to send astronauts into orbit around the moon in late 2024 for the Artemis II mission, marking a long-awaited return to lunar exploration. This mission could potentially set the stage for the Artemis III mission, which could see astronauts returning to the lunar surface for the first time since the 1970s.
As Japan’s Moon Sniper lander inches closer to its historic touchdown, the world eagerly awaits the outcome of this landmark mission. The successful landing would not only solidify Japan’s position as a leader in space exploration but also pave the way for future achievements in the realm of lunar research and discovery.
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