Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
National Nuclear Safety System Center statement: Radiation detection systems reported no signs of contamination, according to recorded data
Iran’s National Nuclear Safety System Center: There is no threat to residents living near the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities
Saudi Arabia's Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority: No radiation leak detected after US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities
Iranian Parliament Member Manan Raisi: No damage has been recorded to underground facilities, and there is no radiation leak
Ansar Allah Political Bureau: The aggression against Iran is a flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions
IRNA:Local residents near Fordow reported no signs of a major explosion
IRNA: Traffic in Qom and the Qom-Isfahan expressway is operating normally
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the Tomat Niha heights
Trump: Any future attacks will be much greater unless they make peace
Trump: We worked with Netanyahu as a team

Japan's 'Moon Sniper' mission finally launched after three delays

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 7 Sep 2023 10:51
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

Japan has launched its "Moon Sniper" mission, aiming to become the fifth nation to achieve a precise landing on the lunar surface.

  • x
  • An H2-A rocket carrying a small lunar surface probe and other objects lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre on Tanegashima island, Kagoshima prefecture on September 7. (AFP)
    An H2-A rocket carrying a small lunar surface probe and other objects lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Centre on Tanegashima Island, Kagoshima prefecture, on September 7 (AFP)

Japan's "Moon Sniper" mission has launched with the goal of becoming the fifth country to safely land on the lunar surface and the first to do so with exceptional precision. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (Slim) is nicknamed "Sniper", and the reason is that it is aimed to land within 100 meters of a specific target on the moon, a much smaller margin than the usual range of several kilometers.

The H-IIA rocket carrying Slim took off from Tanegashima, watched by 35,000 online viewers. The lander is expected to touch down on the lunar surface in early 2024.

🇯🇵 @JAXA_en | @SLIM_JAXA Launch Update 🚨

🚀 H-IIA 202 #H2AF47 carrying #SLIM & #XRISM as Viewed from Takezaki observatory of #tanegashima Space Center, Japan#JAXA #SORAQ #ソラキュー #H2A #HIIA #MoonSniper

🎥:- @tnsc_JAXA pic.twitter.com/38gU2jmmVW

— ZetaGravit (@zetagravit) September 7, 2023

Related News

Japan cancels US security talks over defense spending demands

Japan, China trade blame over near-miss incident amid PLA drills

During the mission, the Slim probe and the XRISM space research satellite, developed in collaboration with US and European space agencies, separated from the rocket. Only the United States, Russia, and China joined by India as of last month, have successfully landed a probe on the moon. Japan had experienced two failed moon missions, one public and one private.

Japan's space agency, JAXA, emphasized that the Slim lander represents a significant advancement in precision landing capabilities, allowing for targeted landings on celestial bodies with significant gravity, going beyond the moon. No previous instances of pinpoint landings on such celestial bodies have been recorded globally.

In addition to Slim, the XRISM satellite, launched on the same rocket, will conduct high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of hot gas plasma winds in galaxies throughout the universe.

Japan has faced challenges with its launch rockets, including failures of the H3 and Epsilon rockets in 2022. Despite setbacks, Japan continues to pursue its space exploration ambitions, contributing to the growing body of lunar and space research.

Read next: Japan successfully launches new reconnaissance satellite into space

  • Japan
  • Moon
  • Space
  • smart lander
  • Moon Sniper

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran’s Bavar-373 air defense system on display during a military drill (Mehr News Agency)
Politics

Iran intercepts Israeli drones near Tehran, multiple cities

The Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran warns aid to 'Israel' will be treated as aggression

US President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Friday, June 20, 2025, en route to Montclair, New Jersey (AP)
Politics

Trump, Erdogan made covert attempts to hold talks with Iran: Axios

Ansar Allah supporters surround a giant Iranian flag during an anti-US and anti-'Israel' weekly rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 20, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US ships in Red Sea will be targeted if US attacks Iran: YAF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS