**1. Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM):**
* **Current status:** In lunar orbit since December 25th, 2023.
* **Next step:** Scheduled for a touchdown attempt on the moon's surface on **January 19th, 2024**. This would be Japan's first-ever soft lunar landing by a national space agency.
* **Landing site:** Targeting a region near the equator close to the Arima C crater.
* **Significance:** Success would make Japan the fifth nation to achieve a soft moon landing, after the US, Russia, China, and India.
**2. Hakuto-R Mission:**
* **Current status:** Though not an official JAXA mission, this private initiative by ispace also aimed for a lunar landing in 2023.
* **Outcome:** Unfortunately, Hakuto-R successfully reached lunar orbit but crashed during its landing attempt on April 1st, 2023.
* **Future:** ispace is already building a "Mission 2" lander for another attempt in late 2024.
**Overall, Japan's moon exploration efforts are in full swing.** The upcoming landing attempt by SLIM promises a historic moment for the nation's space program. Keep an eye out for updates in January!
Here are some additional resources you might find helpful:
* JAXA's SLIM mission website: [https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/current/slim.html](https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/current/slim.html)
* CNN article on SLIM reaching lunar orbit: [https://pressnewsagency.org/japans-moon-sniper-lander-reaches-lunar-orbit-cnn/](https://pressnewsagency.org/japans-moon-sniper-lander-reaches-lunar-orbit-cnn/)
* Space.com article on SLIM's landing target: [https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/japan-launches-rocket-carrying-moon-lander-slim-after-three-delays-2023-09-06/](https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/japan-launches-rocket-carrying-moon-lander-slim-after-three-delays-2023-09-06/)
As of today, December 30, 2023, Japan's moon mission is currently progressing with two major milestones achieved:
**1. Successful orbit insertion:** On December 25th, Japan's "Moon Sniper" lander, also known as the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), successfully entered lunar orbit. This marks a significant step towards the lander's main objective of achieving the first-ever soft landing on the moon for a Japanese spacecraft.
**2. Upcoming landing attempt:** JAXA, the Japanese space agency, is targeting January 19th, 2024, for the landing attempt. SLIM is currently in an elliptical orbit around the moon, and it will gradually lower its trajectory over the next few weeks to prepare for the critical touchdown.
However, there are some additional things to consider:
* **Challenges ahead:** Landing on the moon is a complex feat, and there is always a risk of unforeseen technical difficulties or unexpected lunar terrain causing complications.
* **Private initiative:** It's important to note that Japan's moon mission isn't the only one underway. A private Japanese company, ispace, also attempted a lunar landing in 2023 but unfortunately encountered problems during the touchdown phase. They are currently planning another mission for 2024.
Overall, Japan's moon mission is on track for a historic landing attempt in January. While success is not guaranteed, the mission represents a significant step forward for Japan's space program and lunar exploration efforts.
Here are some resources to stay updated on the mission's progress:
* **JAXA website:** [https://global.jaxa.jp/](https://global.jaxa.jp/)
* **Space.com:** [https://www.space.com/](https://www.space.com/)
* **CNN:** [https://www.cnn.com/us/space-science](https://www.cnn.com/us/space-science)
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