News On Japan

JAXA Releases First Images of 'SLIM' on Moon

TOKYO, Jan 25 (News On Japan) - Images of Japan's first lunar landing mission by the spacecraft 'SLIM' were released on Thursday.

Set against the backdrop of the moon's gray sandy terrain, is 'SLIM,' which successfully landed on the moon last week. The images were captured by the lunar exploration robot 'SORA-Q,' which was detached from 'SLIM' just before landing.

Post-landing, 'SLIM' has encountered a power generation issue. The images show the solar panels facing the ground, giving the impression that 'SLIM' has flipped over.

A JAXA representative speculated, "(The flipping of 'SLIM') could be due to some external factor that led to damage to the main engine."

On a positive note, JAXA revealed that this mission achieved the world's first pinpoint lunar landing. 'SLIM' managed to land approximately 55 meters east of the initial target site.

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

With only 17 days until the Osaka-Kansai Expo opens, excitement is building as pavilion details continue to be announced, including features from the Japan Gas Association and exhibits showcasing Australia’s natural environment and interactive energy games.

Foreign tourists in Japan are showering praise on local tourist information centers for their warm and detailed support—sometimes even considered 'overly helpful.' These centers assist visitors with everything from translation hiccups and complex train transfers to finding hidden scenic spots, cultural experiences, and rental services.

The Trump administration announced on March 26th that it will impose an additional 25% tariff on imported automobiles and key auto parts. According to the proclamation signed by President Trump, the tariffs are set to take effect on April 3rd and will apply to all imported vehicles, including those from Japan.

A memorial ceremony was held in Zamami Village on March 26th to mark 80 years since the residents of the Kerama Islands were driven to mass suicide during the Battle of Okinawa, following the first U.S. landing on the islands in 1945.

Cherry blossoms began blooming in Nagoya on March 26th, according to an announcement by the Nagoya District Meteorological Observatory, two days later than the average year but two days earlier than last year.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sci-Tech NEWS

Infectious gastroenteritis cases are spreading rapidly across Japan, with the number of patients in March reaching the highest level in the past ten years for this time of year.

The Japanese government on March 21st released a report outlining countermeasures for volcanic ash in the event of a Mount Fuji eruption, including a four-stage evacuation plan based on ashfall volume.

A new facility for the research and production of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been completed in Osaka's Nakanoshima district and was unveiled to the press on March 19th.

Chubu Electric Power has begun dismantling the reactor at Unit 2 of the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant in Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Monday. This marks the first time a commercial nuclear reactor is being dismantled in Japan.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying astronaut Takuya Onishi, 49, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and three others arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on March 16th at around 12:00 a.m. (Japan time: March 16th at around 1:00 p.m.), completing a journey of approximately 29 hours since launch.

Sugi pollen levels have reached their peak in Fukuoka, with daily economic losses from hay fever estimated to exceed 230 billion yen. Clinics are overwhelmed with patients, including young children experiencing severe symptoms.

The launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi has been postponed due to a technical issue with ground equipment.

Shimadzu Corporation has launched the world's first optical lattice clock, which measures time using the oscillation frequency of atoms trapped by lasers. The clock boasts an unparalleled accuracy, with an error of just one second over 10 billion years.