Japan lunar landing: ‘Moon sniper’ mission reaches surface but appears to have failed, space agency says
by Andrew Griffin
Jan 19, 2024
3 minutes
Japan is in contact with its newly arrived Moon lander, but it appears to be having technical problems, the country’s space agency has said.
The country sent its “Slim” spacecraft to the lunar surface, with the hope of becoming only the fifth country to successfully land on the moon. The lander arrived early on Saturday morning Japanese time, it said.
Since then, the spacecraft has been communicating with Earth but its solar panels are not generating electricity – and its batteries are rapidly running out, it
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days