Japan's 'sniper' lands on moon

[gregmcc]

Japan moon landing live: Japan's 'sniper' lands on moon - but tense moments as mission control waits to make contact

Japan has become the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon after its "sniper" probe touched down. But the control room is still waiting to make contact with the lander. The Japanese space agency is due to hold a news conference - watch live in the stream below.

news.sky.com

Japan has become the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon after its "sniper" probe touched down. But the control room is still waiting to make contact with the lander. The Japanese space agency is due to hold a news conference

 

[Mirai]

I remember how the Tokyo ex mayor used to mock the Chinese over their space programme.

'In China, people there were surprised to see a manned rocket launched. They were pleased because they were ignorant.' -- Shintaro Ishihara.

 

[Temujin]

 

[DapperDanMan]

What's happening, @Temujin?

 

[Temujin]

What's happening, @Temujin?

Sniper... so I ducks

 

[Gordon_R]

BBC reports partial success:

Japan's space agency says is communicating with its uncrewed craft "Moon Sniper" after it landed on the lunar surface
But scientists say the craft's solar generators aren't working - it's relying entirely on batteries which will run out

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/science-environment-68019846

 

[DapperDanMan]

Japan just can't catch a break in 2024.

Incidentally, is the number "4" not an unlucky number relating to death for them?

 

[gregmcc]

Incidentally, is the number "4" not an unlucky number relating to death for them?

Yip. 4 is related to death and not a good number for them.

 

[Gordon_R]

Scott Manley video, and speculation:

 

[Gordon_R]

Oops:

Stricken Japanese Moon mission landed on its nose

The first image of the Slim spacecraft shows it to be in an awkward position on the lunar surface.

www.bbc.com

The first picture of the stricken Slim spacecraft shows it rotated 90 degrees from how it should have come to rest.

This will go some way to explaining the difficulties it has had in generating the electricity needed to operate.

The image was captured by the small baseball-sized robot called Sora-Q that was ejected from Slim moments before touchdown last Saturday.

 

[Avbob se stoep]

Japan just can't catch a break in 2024.

Incidentally, is the number "4" not an unlucky number relating to death for them?

I thought 2 was enough historically?

 

[Baise]

" Japan crashes onto the moon "

 

[Rumple4skin]

Japan just can't catch a break in 2024.

Incidentally, is the number "4" not an unlucky number relating to death for them?

For the Chinese as well as the number 4 sounds very similar to the word death. In some buildings you would not find a 4th floor in the elevator, for eg.

 

[Goosfrabba]

First to reach heaven though