The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is ready to begin preparations for landing descent, based on operational results since insertion into lunar orbit and future plans.
It was therefore decided to move to the landing descent preparation phase on January 10, 2024, and the apolune (the furthest point from the Moon) descent maneuver (*1 Maneuver-Injection of propellant to control the spacecraft’s position and attitude) was successfully executed and completed on January 14, 2024, at 17:32 JST. The SLIM spacecraft is further confirmed to be inserted into a circular orbit at the planned altitude of approximately 600km. Spacecraft conditions are currently normal.
The perilune (the closest lunar point) descent maneuver will be performed, and the perilune point will be lowered to an altitude of 15km on January 19, 2024. SLIM will begin the landing descent on January 20, 2024, at around 0:00 JST. The lunar landing is scheduled at 0:20 JST.
SLIM is a small-scale exploration lander designed for pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface, reduction in the size and weight of equipment used in Moon landings, and investigation into the Moon’s origins. It will also test technology fundamental to exploration in low-gravity environments, an important requirement for future scientific investigation of the solar system.
A live broadcast during the SLIM landing descent will be broadcast on the JAXA YouTube official channel, “JAXA Channel” on January 19, 2024, from 23:00 JST, just before the Moon landing.
Click here to learn more about JAXA's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
