What is Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is a Japanese lunar lander mission developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
It achieved a historic feat by successfully landing on the Moon on January 19, 2024.
Making Japan the fifth nation to do so.
Pinpoint landings: SLIM boasts impressive accuracy, targeting landing ellipses of just 100 meters, significantly smaller than previous missions.
This allows for more targeted scientific investigation.
Compact and efficient: It's a relatively small and lightweight lander, about the size of a passenger vehicle, demonstrating advancements in reducing the size and weight of lunar exploration equipment.
Scientific investigation: SLIM carries two small autonomous exploration vehicles (LEVs) equipped with cameras to examine the lunar surface and its surroundings.
Additionally, it's equipped with instruments to study the Moon's geology, environment, and potentially even resources.
Testing future technologies: SLIM serves as a testbed for crucial technologies needed for future exploration in low-gravity environments, paving the way for more advanced planetary science missions.
Launched on September 6, 2023, together with the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) space telescope.
Successfully landed on the Moon's Sea of Nectar on January 19, 2024.
Currently in its operational phase, collecting data and conducting scientific investigations.
Tanegashima Space Center is in which country
The Tanegashima Space Center is located in Japan.
It's situated on the southeastern coast of Tanegashima Island, which is about 40 kilometers south of the larger island of Kyushu.
The center is operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and serves as the nation's primary site for launching rockets and satellites.
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