If the landing succeeds, it will make Japan the fifth country to land on the moon, after the Soviet Union, the United States, China and India.
Here’s what to know about SLIM’s lunar landing: SLIM is currently in lunar orbit and will begin its descent around 10:40 a.m. Eastern time on Friday.
The experimental SLIM spacecraft, nicknamed “moon sniper,” is about the size of a small food truck.
The mission’s primary goal is to demonstrate a navigation system that could help future spacecraft land on the moon or other worlds with more precision.
After landing it will eject two small rovers, LEV-1 and LEV-2, which will briefly explore around the lander.
Persons:
Smart Lander, SLIM, LEV
Organizations:
JAXA, Smart
Locations:
Japan, Soviet Union, United States, China, India