SLIM is a small-scale exploration lander designed for pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface. (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

By Associated Press

Japan apparent fifth country to land on the moon, joining U.S., Soviet Union, China and India

Jan 19, 2024 | 9:28 AM

Japan’s space agency says that its unmanned spacecraft is on the moon but is still “checking its status.”

Officials said more details will be given at a news conference.

The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon or SLIM came down onto the lunar surface at around 12:20 a.m. Tokyo time on Saturday.

If SLIM landed successfully Japan would become the fifth country to accomplish the feat after the United States, the Soviet Union, China and India.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s mission control said that its descent was going as planned and later said that SLIM was on the lunar surface.

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But there was no mention of whether the landing was successful.

SLIM is a small-scale exploration lander designed for pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface, according to the exploration agency.

It will also test technology fundamental to exploration in low-gravity environments, an important requirement for future scientific investigation of the solar system, according to a JAXA description.