Tokyo: Japan achieved a significant milestone in space exploration as its lunar lander successfully touched down on the moon’s surface, making it the fifth country in the world to achieve this feat, joining the ranks of the U.S., Russia, China, and India.
Officials from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) expressed optimism about the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon spacecraft’s soft landing, emphasizing their confidence in a high-precision touchdown. However, confirmation regarding whether the lander achieved its goal of landing within 100 meters of the target site requires additional time.
“We think we have succeeded in executing a soft landing,” stated JAXA President Hiroshi Yamanaka during a news conference. He highlighted ongoing data transmission from the lunar surface as evidence of the soft landing’s accomplishment.
The successful touchdown marks a significant achievement for Japan’s space program, contributing to the nation’s aspirations in the field of space exploration.