SLIM & Lunar Exploration
Japan became the 5th country to soft-land on the Moon with SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) on Jan 19, 2024. Though it landed upside-down, it demonstrated pinpoint landing accuracy (within 55m of target). JAXA is now developing LUPEX (Lunar Polar Exploration) with ISRO for south pole water ice investigation, and contributing to Gateway and Artemis.
Budget
¥18B (~$120M) for SLIM; LUPEX co-funded with ISRO
Timeline
2023–2030
Key Milestones
SLIM landed on Moon — 5th country to achieve lunar soft landing (pinpoint accuracy)
2024 — Jan
SLIM survived 3 lunar nights, far exceeding design life
2024
Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) spacecraft in integration for Phobos sample return
2025
MMX launch — Phobos sample return mission
2026
LUPEX — JAXA/ISRO joint rover to lunar south pole
2028
Contractors
Sources
- jaxa.jp
- spacenews.com