What Japan Did on the Moon Is Game-Changing

Earlier this year, Japan made history by landing a spacecraft on the Moon for the first time. This achievement places Japan alongside the USA, Russia, India, and China. However, JAXA’s mission was not just about landing; it showcased an extraordinary level of precision in lunar exploration.

Key Takeaways

• Japan’s SLIM mission achieved unprecedented landing precision.
• The spacecraft survived three lunar nights, defying expectations.
• SLIM’s technology could revolutionize future lunar missions.

The Moon Sniper: A Revolutionary Mission

The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, is a small, lightweight spacecraft about the size of a passenger vehicle. Its primary mission is to analyze olivine rocks near the Shioli Crater, located 200 miles south of the Sea of Tranquility, where Neil Armstrong made his historic landing.

This landing zone is significant because it allows researchers to study lunar rock without drilling. By examining these rocks, JAXA aims to uncover more about the Moon’s origins and formation.

SLIM also carried two tiny lunar excursion vehicles, LEV-1 and LEV-2, designed to gather additional data and images.

Precision Landing: A Game Changer

Historically, only about 43% of lunar landings have been successful. Past missions faced significant challenges due to technological limitations and the Moon’s harsh environment. For instance:

• The Soviet Union’s Luna 9 took a dozen attempts before landing successfully.
• NASA’s Ranger series required six tries to achieve a successful landing.

The absence of an atmosphere on the Moon complicates landing, as landers must rely solely on engine thrust. This makes it difficult to adjust trajectories accurately. Every Apollo mission landed perilously close to rocks or slopes, with limited ability to make real-time adjustments.

If we can develop spacecraft capable of precise landings, we can explore various lunar regions without relying on rovers to travel long distances. This reduces mission complexity and costs while opening new avenues for exploration.

The Technology Behind SLIM

SLIM’s success can be attributed to its vision-based navigation system, referred to as “smart eyes.” This system continuously captures images of the lunar surface during descent, allowing the spacecraft to locate itself in real-time using orbital maps created by data from other lunar rovers.

By processing these images, SLIM can adjust its trajectory on the fly, achieving pinpoint accuracy. Weighing just 200 kg without propellant, SLIM’s successful landing demonstrates that small, lightweight spacecraft can undertake complex lunar missions.

The Landing: A Topsy-Turvy Experience

On September 6, 2023, JAXA launched SLIM, which arrived in lunar orbit on Christmas Day 2023. The final descent on January 18, 2024, was a tense moment, live-streamed for viewers. Unfortunately, one of SLIM’s main engine nozzles detached 50 meters above the surface, causing it to gain lateral motion. Despite this, SLIM managed to identify a safe landing spot, albeit it tipped over upon touchdown.

Surviving the Lunar Nights

Lunar nights are notoriously brutal, with temperatures plummeting to -180 degrees Celsius. SLIM was not designed to survive these conditions, so it was put into hibernation after its first lunar day. To everyone’s surprise, SLIM awoke after the first lunar night and began sending data back to Earth.

This pattern continued, with SLIM surviving not just one, but three lunar nights, sending back valuable images and data each time. This resilience has baffled scientists and showcases the spacecraft’s remarkable engineering.

The Future of Lunar Exploration

JAXA’s successful landing with SLIM is a significant breakthrough in interplanetary travel. The ability to execute precise landings opens doors for future missions, particularly in unexplored regions like the South Pole-Aitken Basin, where the Moon’s mantle may be exposed.

NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions in 2026 will also benefit from the advancements demonstrated by SLIM. Pinpoint touchdowns could be crucial for accessing water-ice in permanently shadowed areas.

Conclusion

Moon Sniper stands as a testament to the progress and innovation achieved since the last lunar era. As interest in lunar exploration grows, missions like SLIM provide a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in our quest to understand the Moon and beyond.