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, 2023. Last month, Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched a lunar exploration spacecraft from its Tanegashima Space Center. Japan also discarded efforts to land its Omotenashi spacecraft on the moon in November after failing to stabilize communication. Japan's success this time around could be a leap for space exploration more broadly. "It shows that they are learning from their mistakes — a very important aspect of space exploration," said Behar, who is also Phillip and Sarah Gotlieb Memorial Chair at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology.

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Persons: Kari Bingen, Bingen, Smart Lander, SLIM, Ehud Behar, Norman, Helen Asher, Behar, Phillip, Sarah Gotlieb, We've Organizations: Press, Afp, Getty, Japan, Aerospace Security, International Security, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, SpaceX, Cape Canaveral Space Force, Anadolu Agency, Helen Asher Space Research, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Artemis Accords, Artemis, Capital, Nurphoto Locations: Tanegashima, Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, Cape Canaveral , Florida, India, China, U.S, Bingen, South, Shanghai