Japan is still in the running for the fifth position in the race to the moon, even after a setback in April 2023 when the privately developed Japanese landing module "Hakuto-R" crashed on the lunar surface, costing them the fourth place. However, the new contender is the state-run lunar landing module, SLIM, built by Japan's space agency JAXA. On its journey since September 7th, SLIM has taken a somewhat convoluted approach, orbiting the Earth multiple times, using less fuel than a direct shot would have required.
As of the Christmas holidays, SLIM has been in the Earth's satellite attraction area, with the landing scheduled for 4:20 p.m. The mission's distinctive feature is its plan for precision landing, aiming for a selected point with an accuracy of 100 meters. Unlike previous lunar landings where reaching the surface was the priority, SLIM's mission involves a targeted landing for closer inspection of smaller rock formations using cameras and measuring instruments.
The landing zone for SLIM presents challenges, including a 15 percent rise towards the edge of a crater. To address this, the lunar lander employs a sophisticated landing procedure, intentionally tipping to the side during landing and using side-mounted legs with aluminum mesh shock absorbers to prevent accidental tipping.
To achieve the precision landing, SLIM continuously captures images of the lunar surface and compares them with onboard maps. Despite the limitations of current space-ready computer chips, which have only a fraction of the computing power of commercially available ones, Japanese engineers developed fast software for these slower chips, enabling rapid image evaluation crucial for the precise moon approach.
The success of SLIM's precision landing could have broader implications for future lunar exploration projects. NASA's plans involve using unmanned cargo landers to prepare for human returns to the moon. The Apollo missions landed in relatively level and obstacle-free terrain, but the upcoming Artemis III mission aims to land at the lunar south pole, characterized by craters of various sizes. Precision landing becomes crucial in such obstacle-rich areas for successful cargo and personnel drops.
In addition to precision landing, SLIM's developers focused on making it easy to build. For instance, its solar cells are not rigid panels but flexible films that can be applied to curved surfaces, contributing to weight savings and allowing for a higher payload capacity. The success of this mission could pave the way for advancements in lunar exploration, bringing us one step closer to establishing a moon base.
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