Tokyo, Sep 7: A Japanese H-IIA carrier rocket, carrying Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) and a satellite known as the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), successfully lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center, as announced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Originally scheduled for launch on August 26, the mission faced two postponements due to adverse weather conditions.
XRISM, a collaborative venture between JAXA, NASA, and the European Space Agency, was anticipated to separate from the carrier rocket approximately 14 minutes after liftoff, while SLIM was set to detach from the rocket around 47 minutes into the mission. Japan’s lunar lander is projected to enter the Moon’s orbit within 3-4 months and touch down on the lunar surface within 4-6 months.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, in partnership with JAXA, has played a crucial role in developing the lunar module, emphasizing precise landing capabilities. The lander’s mission objective is to conduct a comprehensive study of the Moon’s surface. In the event of a successful landing, the data gathered during the expedition will contribute to preparations for the United States’ Artemis I mission, which aims to explore the Moon and Mars.
