The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is preparing to launch the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission. This happened on Monday, August 27, at 9:26:22 JST (5:56 IST).
This mission will take off from the Tanegashima Space Center using a Japanese H2-A rocket. SLIM will land on the lunar surface in about four to six months. This is Japan’s second recent attempt to put something on the moon after Ispace, a Tokyo-based company, failed to land on April 25.
ALSO READ| How many countries have successfully soft landed on the moon?
Japan’s 2023 Moon Mission: Launch Date and Time
The launch of Japan’s first spacecraft to land on the moon, scheduled for Monday, was halted by the national space agency due to strong winds. The delay was announced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), the rocket’s operator.
[Press Release] Today’s planned launch of the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) and Smart Lander for Exploration of the Moon (SLIM) on H-IIA launch vehicle no. 47 (H-IIA F47) https://t.co/fgKqmisX2z
— JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) (@JAXA_en)
August 28, 2023
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) safety manager Michio Kawakami mentioned that strong winds reaching speeds of approximately 108 km/h (67 mph) were detected between altitudes of 5,000 to 15,000 meters (16,400 to 49,200 feet). Kawakami also noted that the presence of several typhoons near Japan may have contributed to these challenging wind conditions.
READ I| List of women scientists behind the successful Chandrayaan 3 mission to the Moon
Where to Watch Japan Moon Mission Live Streaming Online
You can follow the live stream of the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) and Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) launches on H-IIA Launch Vehicle no. 47 on JAXA’s YouTube channel.
Details of the mission to the moon in Japan
The mission’s rocket will carry JAXA’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), marking a significant milestone as the first Japanese spacecraft to land on the Moon. In contrast, Tokyo-based startup Ispace’s Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander met an unfortunate end by crashing onto the lunar surface back in April.
After the delayed launch, JAXA’s blueprint includes SLIM’s lunar landing phase, which is scheduled to begin between January and February 2024. This trajectory is driven by aspirations to repeat the success of India’s lunar exploration venture Chandrayaan-3, which was achieved earlier this month .
The countdown is underway at the launch terminal of the H-ⅡA launch vehicle no. 47. However, today’s launch was canceled because it was confirmed that the upper wind dose did not meet the launch limitations. #H2AF47
— MHI Launch Services (@MHI_LS)
August 28, 2023
Dubbed the “lunar sniper,” the SLIM mission sets out to achieve an extraordinary feat—achieving a precision landing within just 100 meters of its intended target on the lunar surface. This achievement marks a remarkable leap over conventional lunar landing precision in the range of a few kilometers, JAXA said.
Accompanying this lunar expedition is the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), a collaborative initiative involving JAXA, NASA and the European Space Agency.
H-IIA, a joint creation of JAXA and MHI, is Japan’s flagship space launch vehicle, with an impressive record of 45 successful launches out of 46 attempts since its inception in 2001. However, the introduction of JAXA’s new medium-lift H3 rocket has encountered to a failure during its maiden voyage in March, causing the agency to delay the launch of H-IIA no.
Amid ambitions to send astronauts to the lunar expanse in the late 2020s, Japan’s space efforts have faced a number of recent challenges. These include the failure of a small Epsilon rocket launch in October 2022 and an engine explosion during a test last month.
READ I| How are Chandrayaan 3 and Chandrayaan 2 different?
Japanese mission to the moon SLIM budget
Amid the resurgence of the global space race, Japan is strategically formulating an ambitious budget, allocating an impressive 449.6 billion yen ($4.14 billion) for fiscal year 2021. This figure shows a significant increase of 23.1 percent compared to the current fiscal year that is forecast to end on March 30. The blueprint for this increased fiscal allocation is contained in the draft budget documents.
Within Japan’s space budget proposal, which includes the joint efforts of 11 ministries, an allocation of ¥51.4 billion ($472 million) is earmarked to facilitate the participation of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in NASA’s renowned Artemis lunar exploration program. Furthermore, a substantial part of the 18.9 billion yen is reserved for encouraging the development and advancement of the H3 missile. In addition, a substantial allocation of ¥80 billion is earmarked to nurture the nation’s Information Gathering Satellite (IGS) program. These specific details are derived from comprehensive budget documents.
READ I|
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: newstars.edu.vn