Celestial Precision: Japan’s Leap into Lunar Exploration

Celestial Precision: Japan’s Leap into Lunar Exploration

In a remarkable feat of engineering and ambition, Japan has not only re-established its presence in lunar exploration but has also set a new benchmark with its Moon Sniper mission, known formally as SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon). This endeavor represents a paradigm shift in how nations can approach celestial exploration, focusing on precision […]

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Cosmic Symphonies: Unraveling the Artistry of Supernovae and Black Holes

Cosmic Symphonies: Unraveling the Artistry of Supernovae and Black Holes

In the cosmos, supernova remnants serve as magnificent celestial laboratories, offering profound insights into the lifecycle of stars and the birth of elements that ultimately become the building blocks of life itself. XRISM’s observations of the supernova remnant N132D have unveiled revolutionary findings that challenge long-held beliefs among astronomers. N132D, located approximately 160,000 light-years from […]

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SpaceX launches EarthCARE climate satellite for ESA and JAXA

SpaceX launches EarthCARE climate satellite for ESA and JAXA

EarthCARE carries four instruments that work together to study clouds and atmospheric aerosols, enabling a comprehensive understanding of their impact on Earth’s climate. The Atmospheric LIDAR (ATLID) measures the altitudes of cloud tops and aerosols using a laser and telescope. It emits ultraviolet pulses and detects the scattered light to calculate the altitude and infer […]

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JAXA Successfully Reaches Orbit on Second H3 Launch

JAXA Successfully Reaches Orbit on Second H3 Launch

Japan’s H3 rocket successfully reached orbit on its second attempt, 11 months after it failed during its debut flight. The launch took place at the Tanegashima Space Center and sent a mass simulator and two small satellites to a Sun-synchronous orbit. The H3 rocket was developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi […]

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SpaceX’s Upcoming Milestone: Lunar Lander on Falcon 9’s 300th Mission; JAXA’s Ambitious Orbit Goal with H3 Rocket

SpaceX’s Upcoming Milestone: Lunar Lander on Falcon 9’s 300th Mission; JAXA’s Ambitious Orbit Goal with H3 Rocket

This week is a busy one for space missions, with multiple launches scheduled from various countries. SpaceX, in particular, is preparing for four separate Falcon 9 missions, while JAXA and Roscosmos also have significant launches on the horizon. One of SpaceX’s missions is set to launch NASA’s PACE Earth-observation satellite, which aims to provide constant […]

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Possible revision: Assessment of Japan’s SLIM Moon Lander’s Survival Questioned due to Power Challenges

Possible revision: Assessment of Japan’s SLIM Moon Lander’s Survival Questioned due to Power Challenges

Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) lunar lander has successfully landed on the Moon’s surface, achieving a soft touchdown. However, there is currently an issue with the lander’s ability to generate electricity from its solar cells. The spacecraft is relying on internal battery power, and controllers are working to optimize data recording and downloading […]

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Key events in the ISS’s 25-year history, including spacewalks, cargo arrivals, and departures, reported in roundup.

Key events in the ISS’s 25-year history, including spacewalks, cargo arrivals, and departures, reported in roundup.

The International Space Station (ISS) recently reached a major milestone, celebrating its 25th year in orbit. Despite the occasion, the crew of Expedition 70 continued their ongoing work and experiments on board the orbital laboratory. Throughout the final quarter of 2023, cargo spacecraft arrived at the ISS to deliver supplies and fresh experiments while also […]

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Japanese H-IIA Successfully Launches X-ray Telescope and Lunar Lander

Japanese H-IIA Successfully Launches X-ray Telescope and Lunar Lander

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA launch vehicle continues its successful career with the launch of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) robotic lunar lander and the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) X-ray telescope. This marked the 47th flight of the H-IIA, with only three flights remaining before retirement. Originally scheduled for launch on […]

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