First Picture Surfaces After Japan's SLIM Probe Achieves Pinpoint Landing

Tokyo: Japan successfully landed on the Moon and shared the first picture of its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) from the lunar surface.

The picture was captured by the Lander-eye Viewfinder-1 (LEV-1), showing the approach of the lander on the moon.

The news was confirmed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on X shared on January 20, 2024, with what they have called a 'minimum' success with their spacecraft.

As per the agency despite unforeseen challenges that arose at the time of landing, the mission provided invaluable data and visuals from our celestial neighbour.

JAXA said that it received all the data about its landing SLIM within the 2 hours and 37  minutes after the touchdown before the lander lost its power.

Upon the landing, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida congratulated the team and the country for the achievement. His tweet read, "It is very welcome news that the small lunar landing demonstration vehicle "Slim" ( @SLIM_JAXA) has successfully landed on the moon, although detailed analysis is required as the solar cells are not generating electricity. We would like to express our respect to everyone involved for their efforts thus far, and we will continue to support them as they take on further challenges."

Furthermore, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the space agency.

What are SLIM's objectives?

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is a small-scale exploration designed for pinpoint landings on the lunar surface. It will test technology fundamentals exploration in low-gravity environments.

It aims to demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques embodied in a small explorer.

It also aims for acceleration of the study of the moon and other planets using the lighter exploration system.