Japan, with the SLIM probe of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has imprinted its name on the lunar soil, becoming part of the small elite of nations capable of the feat.
The centerpiece of this extraordinary mission was the unprecedented precision of the landing. The Japanese probe had the task of landing within a radius of just 100 meters from a pre-established target area. It is a target of extreme precision, never attempted before on a space mission. A perfectly centered goal.
The lunar club has a new member
With the landing of SLIM, as mentioned, Japan enters the small group of nations that have reached lunar soil. This club, formerly composed of United States, Soviet Union, China e India, now welcomes Japan as its fifth member. And the country of the Rising Sun wants to become top of the class.
Technology and innovation: the heart of SLIM
The technology used by SLIM is the result of years of research and development. Using data from SELENE mission, SLIM was able to home in on our satellite with extraordinary precision. The comparison with the landing zone estimated for Apollo 11, (an ellipse of 20 by 5 kilometers) highlights the gigantic technological leap made.
Of course, there was no shortage of difficulties either. JAXA's press conference revealed that the probe's solar cells are not charging as expected, forcing the module to meter out its batteries at the moment. This could drastically limit the mission's duration, unless a change in solar direction allows the cells to begin charging. Pending developments, JAXA has decided to reduce the probe's energy consumption, giving priority to the download of landing data and photographs taken.
Two "different twins" on the lunar soil
The SLIM mission also brought with it two experimental rovers LEV (Lunar Excursion Vehicle) 1 and 2, each with a unique and innovative design. The first rover, LEV-1, moves via a jumping mechanism and is equipped with cameras and scientific instruments. The according to, LEV-2, is an ultralight rover weighing just 250 grams, which can change shape to adapt to different conditions on the lunar surface.
These two “enfant terribles” represent a further step forward in space exploration technology and could provide valuable information on the lunar environment.
The challenge continues: Moon exploration and lessons learned
Despite the past successes of human and Soviet missions to the Moon, the exploration of our natural satellite remains a complex challenge full of pitfalls, to the point of fueling all kinds of conspiracy theories.
Japan itself has faced failures in the past, with the OMOTENASHI lander lost in 2022 and a similar fate suffered by a Japanese startup in 2023. Attempts by other nations, such as the Russian one and the recent private US mission Peregrine One, have also faced significant obstacles .
Despite the numerous lunar missions scheduled for this year too, landing on lunar soil is never guaranteed, even fifty years after the first human footprints on the Moon. This is why the goal achieved today is important. Banzai!
