A milestone was reached on December 25, 2023, when JAXA launched the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) into lunar orbit at 16:51 JST.
JAXA’s SLIM Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit: Moon Surface Photos Captured After Precision Orbital Adjustment
SLIM launched on September 6 alongside JAXA’s X-ray imaging and spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) to orbit the Moon while XRISM studied cosmic X-ray sources in Earth’s orbit.
SLIM’s 6.4-hour elliptical lunar orbit connects the Moon’s north and south poles. The orbit’s altitude ranges from 600 km closer to the Moon (perilune) to 4,000 km farther away.
The orbit adjustment went as predicted, and JAXA captured Moon surface photographs after the insertion.
READ ALSO: SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Crafting new solutions to avert an arms race in outer space
Japan’s SLIM Lunar Mission: Orbit Adjustments Complete, Descent Preparations Underway for Historic Moon Landing
From now until mid-January 2024, SLIM’s orbit will be reduced and circularized at 600 km altitude. After lowering the perilune point, descent, and landing preparations will begin. The perilune point will reach 15 kilometers on January 19 and descend toward the Moon at 0:00 am JST on January 20. The spacecraft should land on the moon around 0:20 am JST on January 20.
Japan will become the fifth nation to land on the Moon if SLIM succeeds. SLIM focuses on Moon and other solar system planet landing technology verification. It will also use a tiny probe to study the moon.
This milestone shows Japan’s lunar exploration capabilities and provides crucial data for future solar system missions.
READ ALSO: Japan inserts SLIM into lunar orbit