Japan managed to land a probe on the Moon for the first time

Tokyo, Jan. 20 (Jiji Press) — Japan succeeded in landing a lander on the lunar surface for the first time on Saturday, becoming the fifth country to do so. The landing of the module with the probe was broadcast by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which shortly afterwards announced the success of the mission at a press conference.

The Lunar Intelligent Lander (SLIM) landed near the Scioli Crater, near the Nectaris Mare region, around 12:20 a.m. Saturday. Thus, Japan joins the group of four countries that have achieved this achievement: the former Soviet Union, the United States, China and India.

According to JAXA, SLIM operates on a limited battery level because its solar panels do not generate electricity.

JAXA explained that the lander was believed to have been put into sleep mode several hours after landing, although it had been transmitting and receiving data normally up to that point, adding that it believed a soft landing had been achieved.

In addition, he managed to launch two small lunar rovers that he was carrying.

(Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.)