Japan s space agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has postponed the launch of its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft due to strong winds. The SLIM project aims to achieve a high-precision landing on the moon and reduce launch costs by using lightweight hardware. Japan s space program has faced recent setbacks, including the destruction of a rocket and failed launches. However, Japan s advanced image technology is seen as crucial in responding to China s growing military presence in space. The country also plans to send an astronaut to the moon as part of NASA s Artemis program.
Japanese startup ispace inc
said on Friday the cause of its failed Hakuto-R moon
landing mission last month was the miscalculation of its
altitude, which led to the spacecraft s running out of fuel. . | May 26, 2023