JAXA SLIM Mission Attempts To Carry X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission Hardware to the Moon,
NASA isn’t the only space agency that’s making big moves when it comes to space exploration and space scientific research. As such, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is expected to launch its new Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission as it planned to livestream the launch.
Cancelled Launch
Initially, the plan was to launch the moon lander on August 28; but due to poor weather, the mission was rescheduled. JAXA was going to launch the SLIM mission aboard the H2-A rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center.
So far, no update on the rescheduled launch was given; but to reach the moon, the flight is expected to take four to six months. Aside from the SLIM mission, the rocket is expected to carry the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) instrument.
The mission is Japan’s second attempt recently to place hardware on the moon. The last time was a supposed launch by ispace, a Tokyo-based company, that failed its April 25 landing try.
X-Ray Imaging
Space Mission
One major mission aboard the H-2A rocket is XRISM, which plans to use X-rays to scrutinize the universe in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). SLIM, on the other hand, is a smaller mission but aims to achieve significant results.
The mission plans to land a probe about 100m from the moon’s Shioli Crater to demonstrate better lunar landing techniques with the help of a more precise touchdown. The lander’s examination of the moon will stretch throughout the 984-foot-wide Shioli Crater environment inside Mare Nectaris.
The area is located close to the side of the moon that faces Earth about 13 degrees south (latitude) and 25 degrees east (longitude).
Recent Developments
India is now the latest country to make it to the moon with its Chandrayaan-3 rover-lander duo which successfully touched down on Aug 23. Other countries that attempted similar missions include Russia, which experienced its Luna-25 lander crashing on August 19 due to an unsuccessful maneuver.
JAXA recently participated in the Artemis Accords as a partner for the agreement that aims to lay fundamentals of mutually beneficial practices when it comes to space exploration and usage led by NASA, which wanted to establish peaceful space norms. So far, the agreement gained dozens of signatories with Japan, one of its members, joining NASA’s Artemis program.
X-Ray Imaging
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Among some of the latest countries that joined the Accords include Argentina, India, and Ecuador, among others.
In 2022, the leaders of the US and Japan confirmed that the latter would play an important role in Artemis missions. As such, NASA officials said a Japanese astronaut would be part of the Gateway moon-orbiting space station.
So far, Japan has received seats and science on the Artemis mission through pacts with the US. According to the White House, the agreements stretch different fields, including 5G networks, cybersecurity, science, and other technological collaborations.
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