TOKYO, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Japan aims to become the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the lunar surface with the launch of a low-cost "moon sniper" on Thursday that will test precision landing technology designed to further Tokyo’s space goals.
Japan's efforts to build a homegrown space industry are also on display: The lander was assembled by Mitsubishi Electric (6503.T), using its landing radars, computers and transponder.
That made India the fourth country to land a spacecraft on the moon after the United States, Russia and China.
"Precise landing technology gives the ability and confidence for future human space exploration missions.
In return, Washington has promised Japan seats on future crewed Artemis missions to the moon.
Persons:
Smart Lander, Kenji Kushiki, SLIM, Sreeram Ananthasayanam, Tim Kelly, Nivedita, David Dolan, Kevin Krolicki, Gerry Doyle
Organizations:
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, Tanegashima Space, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nectaris, Mitsubishi Electric, Sharp Corp, Electric, Deloitte India, NASA, U.S, Thomson
Locations:
TOKYO, Japan, India, Delhi, United States, Russia, China, Luna, Washington