185: Japan’s historic moon landing was right on target

Japan made history last month when it became the fifth nation to soft land on the moon. What’s more, they landed it close to their target, a feat that could be a gamechanger for space travel. This week we discuss the science and the politics behind Japan’s lunar landing. 

On this episode:
Joel Tansey: Articles | X
Tomoko Otake: Articles | X
Gabriel Dominguez: Articles | X

Read more/Watch more/Play more: 

• Japan makes history as spacecraft lands on the moon (Tomoko Otake and Joel Tansey, The Japan Times)
• One small step for a JAXA spacecraft, one giant leap for exploration  (Elizabeth Tasker, The Japan Times)
• Japan’s moonshot may mark breakthrough for future lunar missions (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times)
• Geopolitics in space: Why great powers are scrambling for the moon (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times)
• SLIM Moon Landing Live & Press Conference (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, YouTube)
• SORA-Q Flagship Model (Takara Tomy)
• SLIM: The pinpoint moon landing game (JAXA Space Education Center)
• Artemis Accords (U.S. Dept. of State)

Get in touch: Send us feedback at [email protected]. Support the show by rating, reviewing and sharing the episode with a friend if you’ve enjoyed it. For a transcript of the show, visit japantimes.co.jp, and don’t forget to follow us on X!  

Photo:  The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is seen on the surface of the moon in an image released Jan. 25. | JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY (JAXA), TAKARA TOMY, SONY GROUP, DOSHINSHA UNIVERSITY/ VIA REUTERS