December 5, 2023 (JST)

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

 The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is pleased to announce that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), which was launched on September 7, 2023, is currently operating smoothly. While the lunar surface landing was initially scheduled for January or February 2024, based on the smooth progress of operations, it will now be conducted as follows:

January 20, 2024 (Saturday)
About 12:00 am (JST) Starting descent toward the Moon
About 12:20 am (JST) Landing on the lunar surface

Please note that if the landing is not executed at the timing mentioned above, a next opportunity is scheduled around February 16, 2024.
SLIM aims to achieve a pinpoint landing with an accuracy of less than 100 meters. This marks an unprecedentedly high-precision landing on a gravitational body such as the Moon, and the results are anticipated to contribute to the programs such as international space exploration that are currently under study.

Upcoming schedule leading to the lunar landing：
　December 25, 2023　  Lunar orbit insertion
　Mid-January, 2024　    Commencement of preparations for landing (orbit adjustment)
　January 19, 2024　    Completion of transition to the orbit before landing