Japan joins Moon race with successful rocket launch
Japan achieved a successful rocket launch on Thursday, marking its fourth attempt this year. Previous launch attempts had been thwarted by adverse weather conditions, but this recent success brings renewed optimism to Japan's lunar ambitions.
The rocket carried a lunar lander, affectionately dubbed the 'moon sniper,' which is slated to make a daring Moon landing in February, provided all goes according to plan.
Japan's space program has faced challenges in the past year, with two failed attempts to reach the lunar surface. Nevertheless, Japan remains determined to join the exclusive group of nations that have successfully landed on the Moon, which currently includes the United States, Russia, China, and India.
Just two weeks ago, India made history by achieving a successful spacecraft landing near the Moon's south pole. Japan's lunar lander is expected to touch down within a mere 100 meters (328 feet) of a location near the Shioli crater, situated on the near side of the Moon. This ambitious mission entails the craft entering the Moon's orbit within the next four months, followed by a month of orbiting before the planned landing in February.
Valued at $100 million (£59 million), this mission serves as a crucial demonstration of Tokyo's capability to land a lightweight and cost-effective spacecraft on the lunar surface. Beyond the lunar lander, the rocket also carried the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) satellite, a collaborative project involving Japanese, American, and European space agencies. This endeavor underscores Japan's commitment to advancing space exploration and international cooperation in this challenging frontier.
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