Science
Here's What You Need To Know About Japan's Upcoming Dual Spacecraft Launch To Moon
JAXA-NASA's XRISM is set to be launched on 26 August, 2023. (Twitter/XRISM_jp)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is preparing for a significant moment as the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) spacecraft and the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) are scheduled to launch on 26 August.
SLIM and XRISM are separate payloads with distinct objectives. JAXA's SLIM will touch down on the Moon at 00:34:57 UTC, departing from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.
Both payloads will be carried by a Mitsubishi H-IIA launch vehicle, which has achieved a remarkable track record of over 30 successful missions since 2005.
XRISM is a collaborative effort between NASA and JAXA. This ambitious mission aims to investigate the hottest regions, largest structures, and objects with the strongest gravitational forces in the universe.
On the other hand, JAXA's SLIM is focused on demonstrating precise landing techniques using a small explorer. Learn more about Japan's space agency and their lunar lander project.
JAXA's SLIM is set to demonstrate landing techniques using a small explorer, which will contribute to the study of the Moon and other planets through lighter exploration systems. It is scheduled to launch as a "ride-share" payload alongside XRISM.
According to JAXA, the successful landing of SLIM will mark a significant advancement in the ability to land in specific locations rather than just the easiest ones.
Equipped with high-resolution cameras and an image processing algorithm, the smart lander will use information about craters and their positions to calculate and determine the optimal landing spot. The accuracy of the lander in reaching the desired location will be a crucial test.
According to the European Space Agency, a spacecraft is being developed to detect X-ray light emitted from gas released by galaxy clusters.
This will allow astronomers to measure the total mass of these systems and gain valuable information about the formation and evolution of the universe.
Additionally, the observations made by the spacecraft, known as XRISM, will provide insights into the production and distribution of chemical elements by the universe.
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