NEW DELHI: In a significant stride for lunar exploration, Japan’s “Moon Sniper,” the robotic explorer from the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission, has successfully touched down on the moon’s surface, making Japan the fifth nation to achieve this feat. However, the intrigue surrounding this mission extends far beyond this accomplishment. The landing site, near the Shioli crater, approximately 200 miles south of the historic Apollo 11’s Sea of Tranquility site, holds a treasure trove of scientific potential that has the global scientific community buzzing with excitement.
“We proved that you can land wherever you want, rather than where you are able to,” its project manager for the lander, Shinichiro Sakai, told a press conference. “This will inspire more and more people, desirably Japanese missions, to try to land on unexplored places on the moon.”
The mission, while achieving its primary objective of landing, encountered an unexpected challenge. An anomaly during the descent led to the spacecraft’s solar panels facing away from the sun, limiting its power supply. Despite this setback, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) remains hopeful. The agency has temporarily shut down the lander’s battery to conserve its functionality, anticipating that the changing angle of the sun will breathe new life into the lander, allowing it to resume its critical mission in the Sea of Nectar.
The choice of the landing site near Shioli crater is no coincidence. This location is not just a point on the moon; it’s a window into the moon’s geological history. The crater, though modest in size at about 880 feet in diameter, lies in proximity to the much larger Theophilus crater, which spans more than 60 miles. This proximity is not merely a matter of distance but of profound scientific significance.
As per a CNN report, Dr Gordon Osinski, a planetary geology professor at Western University and a member of the Artemis III moon mission’s geology team, expressed his enthusiasm about the mission’s choice of landing site. “When I was reading up about this a month or so ago, I was super excited to see they had chosen this site,” he remarked. The excitement stems from the scientific potential that craters like Shioli hold. They serve as natural excavation sites, revealing the deeper layers of the lunar surface, offering scientists a rare glimpse into the moon’s subsurface without the need for drilling.
One of the mission’s most tantalizing prospects is the study of olivine, a mineral found in the area surrounding Shioli crater. Olivine’s presence is particularly thrilling for scientists because it hints at the moon’s mantle, a layer that has remained elusive to direct sampling in previous missions. “Anytime you mention olivine, people’s eyes light up because we think it probably originates from the mantle of the moon, which we’ve never really sampled on site before,” Dr Osinski added.
The mission’s landing precision is another aspect that has garnered attention. The Moon Sniper lived up to its name, landing just 180 feet shy of its target. This accuracy is not just a technical achievement; it represents a paradigm shift in how lunar missions can be conducted. Traditional moon missions have targeted landing areas spanning several kilometers. However, such broad target zones limit the potential landing sites to relatively safe and flat terrains, constraining the scientific value of the missions. The precision landing capability of the Moon Sniper opens the door to more varied and topographically challenging lunar terrains, promising richer scientific returns.
The Sea of Nectar, the primary focus of the mission, is itself a subject of great interest. As one of the oldest features on the moon’s near side, it offers a unique opportunity to study the moon’s early history. The data collected from this region could provide invaluable insights into not just the moon’s geological past but also draw parallels with Earth’s own history, given the shared experiences of these celestial bodies.
(With inputs from agencies)
“We proved that you can land wherever you want, rather than where you are able to,” its project manager for the lander, Shinichiro Sakai, told a press conference. “This will inspire more and more people, desirably Japanese missions, to try to land on unexplored places on the moon.”
The mission, while achieving its primary objective of landing, encountered an unexpected challenge. An anomaly during the descent led to the spacecraft’s solar panels facing away from the sun, limiting its power supply. Despite this setback, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) remains hopeful. The agency has temporarily shut down the lander’s battery to conserve its functionality, anticipating that the changing angle of the sun will breathe new life into the lander, allowing it to resume its critical mission in the Sea of Nectar.
The choice of the landing site near Shioli crater is no coincidence. This location is not just a point on the moon; it’s a window into the moon’s geological history. The crater, though modest in size at about 880 feet in diameter, lies in proximity to the much larger Theophilus crater, which spans more than 60 miles. This proximity is not merely a matter of distance but of profound scientific significance.
As per a CNN report, Dr Gordon Osinski, a planetary geology professor at Western University and a member of the Artemis III moon mission’s geology team, expressed his enthusiasm about the mission’s choice of landing site. “When I was reading up about this a month or so ago, I was super excited to see they had chosen this site,” he remarked. The excitement stems from the scientific potential that craters like Shioli hold. They serve as natural excavation sites, revealing the deeper layers of the lunar surface, offering scientists a rare glimpse into the moon’s subsurface without the need for drilling.
One of the mission’s most tantalizing prospects is the study of olivine, a mineral found in the area surrounding Shioli crater. Olivine’s presence is particularly thrilling for scientists because it hints at the moon’s mantle, a layer that has remained elusive to direct sampling in previous missions. “Anytime you mention olivine, people’s eyes light up because we think it probably originates from the mantle of the moon, which we’ve never really sampled on site before,” Dr Osinski added.
The mission’s landing precision is another aspect that has garnered attention. The Moon Sniper lived up to its name, landing just 180 feet shy of its target. This accuracy is not just a technical achievement; it represents a paradigm shift in how lunar missions can be conducted. Traditional moon missions have targeted landing areas spanning several kilometers. However, such broad target zones limit the potential landing sites to relatively safe and flat terrains, constraining the scientific value of the missions. The precision landing capability of the Moon Sniper opens the door to more varied and topographically challenging lunar terrains, promising richer scientific returns.
The Sea of Nectar, the primary focus of the mission, is itself a subject of great interest. As one of the oldest features on the moon’s near side, it offers a unique opportunity to study the moon’s early history. The data collected from this region could provide invaluable insights into not just the moon’s geological past but also draw parallels with Earth’s own history, given the shared experiences of these celestial bodies.
(With inputs from agencies)
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