Japan moon mission SLIM successfully landed on the moon’s surface and became 5th country to land on the moon’s surface followed by the USSR, US, China, and India.
While India’s moon mission Chandrayan 3 was landed and its rover also worked well, in the case of Japan, the lander SLIM landed successfully but its rover is not functioning properly.
A lot of internet media say that the lander is not properly working because its solar system is not working and it will not produce the power to run the lander. In one word it is not working 100% accurately. Japan used its country-made rocket and launched the moon lander to the moon’s surface. After a long time, it has reached its destination. It’s called Smart Lander for Investigating Moon which is shortly called ‘SLIM’.
The SLIM was not launched to soft-land on the moon’s South Pole rather then it landed in the center area of the Moon. The total cost of Japan’s moon mission is 121 Million US Dollars roughly ₹1000cr. While ISRO spent only ₹600cr and landed on the most difficult part of the Moon’s South Pole. The rover worked properly and also did scientific experiments.
In the manner of World economics, Japan is a well-devoted country and the 4th country in the GDP according to data of 2023. But after spending so much amount in the moon land mission it has not done what ISRO has done with almost half of the amount.
Is this mission conducted by India and Japan together as declared by both countries?
The SLIM mission was not the India and Japan together mission to the Moon. It was the only Japan moon mission. The launch mass was 590kg and the Dry mass was 120kg it was launched on 6 September 2023.
| Mission Name | SLIM |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Lunar lander and Lunar rover |
| Operator | JAXA |
| Mission duration | 4 months, 14 days |
| Manufacturer | MELCO |
| Launch mass | 590 kg |
| Launch date | 6 September 2023 23:42:11 UTC |
| Rocket | H-IIA 202 |
| Launch site | Tanegashima Space Center |
| Landing date | 19 January 2024 15:20:00 UTC |
Whereas the ISRO and Japan (JAXA) will launch the Moon mission which will be the LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission) mission. The target landing area will be again on the south pole of the Moon. The rover’s launch mass will be 6000kg and the payload mass will be 350kg. The expected date of this mission is still not mentioned but it will be expected in 2026 to 2028.
| Mission Name | LUPEX |
|---|---|
| Operator | ISRO (India) |
| JAXA (Japan) | |
| Mission duration | 6 months (planned) |
| Manufacturer | Launcher and rover: JAXA |
| Lander: ISRO | |
| Launch mass | ≈ 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) |
| Payload mass | ≈ 350 kg (770 lb) (lander with rover) |
| Launch date | 2026-28 (planned) |
| Rocket | H3 |
| Launch site | Tanegashima Space Center |
| Spacecraft component | Rover |
| Landing site | South polar region of the moon |
Although India is leading in this sector in the capability of doing big in a small amount. A huge respect for the Indian scientists who are doing their work honestly with the love of the country. Recently we have seen ISRO scientists getting less pay for what they are doing in their sectors. While it is not about the money it is about a life full of pride and respect and serving their nation.
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