(Web Desk) - In an unprecedented feat of space engineering, Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is set to attempt a highly precise landing on the Moon on Friday (today).
The spacecraft will attempt to land on a 100-meter-wide target on the lunar surface.
If the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully lands it on the surface, it could redefine the standards of lunar exploration and mark Japan as the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
The SLIM lander, equipped with cutting-edge vision-based navigation technology dubbed "smart eyes," will use photographs of the Moon's surface taken during its descent to autonomously determine its location.
By comparing these images with pre-existing maps from lunar satellites, SLIM can adjust its trajectory in real-time, ensuring a pinpoint approach towards its designated landing site near the Shioli crater, adjacent to the Sea of Nectar.
As SLIM makes its final approach, it will switch to a vertical orientation and engage its onboard radar and optical range finder to navigate the last few meters.
The lander's engines will fire continuously to counteract the lunar gravity until it reaches an altitude of approximately 3 meters.
At this critical juncture, the engines will shut down, allowing SLIM to free-fall onto the Moon's surface, cushioned by its specially designed crushable aluminum lattice legs that absorb the impact.
This mission is not just about landing; it's about landing with precision on challenging terrain.
SLIM's target area is characterised by slopes and potential hazards, making the task even more daunting. The lander's success would demonstrate Japan's capability to conduct high-accuracy landings, which is essential for future missions that aim to explore specific lunar regions for scientific research.
The significance of SLIM's mission extends beyond its technological prowess. The lander is expected to gather data on the composition of rocks near the Sea of Nectar, potentially shedding light on the Moon's origins and the mysteries of its interior structure.
Such information could be crucial for understanding planetary formation and evolution.
If successful, JAXA's innovative mission will not only carve a path for Japan in lunar exploration but also contribute to the collective knowledge of humanity's celestial neighbor.