Japan Makes History with Successful Lunar Landing of 'Moon Sniper' Spacecraft

Japan has achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing its spacecraft "Moon Sniper" on the moon. With this landing, Japan becomes the fifth country, following the United States, Russia, China, and India, to land a spacecraft on the lunar surface.

Officials from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported that their "Smart Lander" achieved a soft landing on the moon's surface and successfully met its high-precision landing target. Confirmation is awaited on whether the lander achieved its goal of landing within 100 meters of the target site.

The agency clarified that the solar panels on the lander were not generating electricity, and the lander was relying on its onboard battery, which would last only for a few hours. Despite potential limitations due to solar panels, officials emphasized their commitment to maximizing the lander's operations with the available power.

Concerns were raised about the solar panels potentially being damaged during landing, but officials expressed confidence that the rest of the spacecraft remained intact. As the angle of the sun changes in the coming weeks, it is anticipated that the solar panels may start generating electricity.

The success of this lunar mission marks a significant advancement for Japan's space program, especially considering previous setbacks in March 2023 with the unsuccessful launch of its H3 flagship rocket.

Masaki Fujimoto, Deputy Director-General of the Institute of Space and Astronomical Science at the Space Agency, acknowledged the difficulty of landing on the moon and encouraged young individuals to face such challenging projects to advance their interests.