Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) intends to show “landing where it is desired to land,” pin-point landing method and barrier detection method. Credit: JAXA
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (< period class ="glossaryLink" aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip ="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>JAXA</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Formed in 2003, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was born through the merger of three institutions, namely the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). JAXA performs various activities related to aerospace, from basic research in the aerospace field to development and utilization and is responsible for research, technology development, and launch of satellites into orbit, and is involved in advanced missions such as asteroid exploration and possible human exploration of the Moon.</div>" data-gt-translate-attributes ="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex ="0" function ="link" > JAXA ) revealed that the(********************************************************************************************* )Lander for InvestigatingMoon (SLIM) was effectively placed into lunar orbit at16:51 (JapanStandardTime, JST) onDecember25,(**************************************************************** ).
(****************************************************************************************** )lunar orbit of SLIM will be placed into an elliptical lunar orbit linking the Moon’s north and south poles with a duration of roughly 6.4 hours, and an elevation of about(************************************************************************ )km( ~370 miles) at the closest indicate theMoon( perilune), and 4,00 0 km (~ 2,500 miles) at the outermost point from the Moon (apolune).The orbit modification continued as prepared, and the spacecraft is presently in a typical condition.
LunarOrbitInsertion( LOI) at16:51( JST) onDecember25,2023
Light blue line:Current lunar orbit.
Future strategies:
Green line:(************************************************************************************************************************ )orbit at an elevation of roughly600 km.
Yellow line:Altitude roughly600 km x150 km on an elliptical orbit.
Red line:Altitude roughly600 km x15 km on an elliptical orbit.Credit: JAXA
From now up until mid-(********************************************************************************************************** )2024, the apolune point will be decreased, and the orbit adapted to a circular orbit at an elevation of roughly600 km.The perilune point will then decrease and preparations for landing will start.(************************************************************************************************* )January19, the perilune point will be decreased to an elevation of (************************************************************************************* )km (~ 9 miles ), and the descent towards the Moon will begin at around 0: 00 a.m. (JST) on January20Landing on the lunar surface area is set up for around 0:20 a.m.( JST) onJanuary 20.
