All because of bad weather
The launch of Japan’s H2A launch vehicle carrying Japan’s first SLIM lunar exploration module has been delayed, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The launch was postponed due to adverse weather conditions at the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, in particular, strong gusts of wind. The launch was to take place at 03:26 Moscow time. The postponement was announced 20 minutes before the rocket launch. JAXA previously reported that the launch of the module to the moon is planned before September 15th. There is no word yet on a new start date for the mission.
Japan’s first lunar module launch canceled at the last minute
The module, 2.4 m high and weighing 200 kg, is designed to study the craters and topography of the Moon using technologies similar to face recognition systems. In addition, SLIM has a special camera that can measure the amount of iron and other elements in lunar rocks. The Japanese module has the ability to accurately land at a given point on the Moon with an error of no more than 100 m. The data obtained is supposed to be used within the Artemis NASA program.
Initially, Japan planned to send the module to the Moon in May, but due to the unsuccessful launch of the new Japanese H3 heavy launch vehicle, the deadline was postponed. If the mission is successful, Japan will become the fifth country to send its module to the surface of the moon. Previously, the Soviet Union, the United States, China and India succeeded in doing this.
In April of this year, the Japanese company Ispace launched the Hakuto-R module, which was supposed to be the first private device on the moon. However, communication with it was lost: it probably crashed on contact with the lunar surface.
