Japan's SLIM, known as the 'moon sniper,' has achieved a significant breakthrough by successfully maneuvering into lunar orbit on Christmas Day, marking a pivotal step in Japan's endeavor to accomplish its inaugural moon landing. Managed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the spacecraft made its anticipated entry into lunar orbit at 2:51 a.m. EDT (4:51 p.m. Japan Standard Time, 0751 GMT).
This remarkable achievement positions the SLIM lander within an elliptical orbit pattern, where it approaches as close as 373 miles (600 kilometers) to the lunar surface and extends outwards to a distance of 2,485 miles (4,000 km). This development sets the stage for an ambitious milestone: a historic lunar touchdown scheduled for January 19. A successful landing would elevate Japan into an elite league of nations—joining the likes of the Soviet Union, the U.S., China, and India—who have previously soft-landed crafts on the moon.
The journey embarked upon by SLIM commenced on September 30, departing from Earth's gravitational pull. Utilizing an energy-efficient trajectory, the spacecraft aimed for the moon, culminating in its successful arrival in lunar orbit. This accomplishment heralds the commencement of preparations for a precision landing attempt. The mission's objective is to achieve a remarkable level of precision, aiming for a landing within a radius of 330 feet (100 meters). This feat will demonstrate advanced pinpoint landing technology essential for future lunar explorations.
The significance of the SLIM mission extends beyond its pioneering landing attempt. It seeks to revolutionize humanity's capacity to precisely navigate and land in locations crucial for exploration, particularly in resource-scarce environments beyond the moon. Furthermore, SLIM plans to enhance its mission objectives by deploying two mini-probes upon landing. These auxiliary craft will facilitate photo documentation, assist in monitoring the mission's progress, and establish an independent communication system with Earth.
While SLIM marks Japan's latest foray into lunar exploration, previous missions like Hiten in 1990 and SELENE (Kaguya) in 2007 paved the way for this endeavor. However, setbacks encountered by previous missions, such as the crash of the Hakuto-R lander in March due to sensor confusion near a lunar crater, underscore the intricate challenges inherent in lunar missions. These challenges emphasize the complexities and uncertainties that space exploration entails, despite the remarkable technological advancements achieved thus far.