Japan successfully launched its lunar lander SLIM on Thursday, September 7, 2023. The spacecraft was carried into space by an H-IIA rocket and is expected to reach the moon in four to six months.
SLIM, which stands for Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, is nicknamed the "moon sniper" because of its precise landing capabilities. The lander is equipped with a variety of sensors and instruments to study the lunar surface, including a drill to collect samples of lunar soil and rock.
The SLIM mission is part of Japan's efforts to become the fifth country to land on the moon. The United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India have all successfully landed spacecraft on the moon.
The SLIM mission is also a testbed for new technologies that could be used in future lunar missions. For example, the lander is equipped with a new type of propulsion system that is more efficient than traditional rocket engines.
The successful launch of SLIM is a major milestone for Japan's space program. The lander is expected to provide valuable data about the moon and help pave the way for future human missions to the lunar surface.