Japan Makes First Moon Landing With Precision Space Probe
- Solar cells aren’t generating energy and may run out of power
- Japanese space agency says mission meets criteria for success
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Japan landed its first-ever probe on the moon after a spate of setbacks to the nation’s space program, but a power problem might cut the mission short.
The SLIM lander, nicknamed “moon sniper,” touched down about 20 minutes past midnight Japan time on Saturday morning. The lightweight lander was launched in September by the H2-A heavy payload rocket co-developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.