TOKYO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Japan launched its lunar exploration spacecraft on Thursday aboard a homegrown H-IIA rocket, hoping to become the world's fifth country to land on the moon early next year.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said the rocket took off from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan as planned and successfully released the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
Unfavourable weather led to three postponements in a week last month.
Dubbed the "moon sniper," Japan aims to land SLIM within 100 metres of its target site on the lunar surface.
The $100-million mission is expected to start the landing by February after a long, fuel-efficient approach trajectory.
"The big objective of SLIM is to prove the high-accuracy landing ... to achieve 'landing where we want' on the lunar surface, rather than 'landing where we can'," JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa told a news conference.
The launch comes two weeks after India became the fourth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon with its Chandrayaan-3 mission to the unexplored lunar south pole.
Around the same time, Russia's Luna-25 lander crashed while approaching the moon.
Two earlier lunar landing attempts by Japan failed in the last year.
JAXA lost contact with the OMOTENASHI lander and scrubbed an attempted landing in November.
The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander, made by Japanese startup ispace (9348.T), crashed in April as it attempted to descend to the lunar surface.
SLIM is set to touch down on the near side of the moon close to Mare Nectaris, a lunar sea that, viewed from Earth, appears as a dark spot.
Its primary goal is to test advanced optical and image processing technology.
After landing, the craft aims to analyse the composition of olivine rocks near the sites in search of clues about the origin of the moon. No lunar rover is loaded on SLIM.
Thursday's H-IIA rocket also carried the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) satellite, a joint project of JAXA, NASA and the European Space Agency.
The satellite aims to observe plasma winds flowing through the universe that scientists see as key to helping understand the evolution of stars and galaxies.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T) manufactured the rocket and operated the launch, which marked the 47th H-IIA rocket Japan has launched since 2001, bringing the vehicle's success rate close to 98%.
JAXA had suspended the launch of H-IIA carrying SLIM for several months while it investigated the failure of its new medium-lift H3 rocket during its debut in March.
Japan's space missions have faced other recent setbacks, with the launch failure of the Epsilon small rocket in October 2022, followed by an engine explosion during a test in July.
The country aims to send an astronaut to the moon's surface in the latter half of the 2020s as part of NASA's Artemis programme.
https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/japan-launches-rocket-carrying-moon-lander-slim-after-three-delays-2023-09-06/
Japan launches 'Moon Sniper' mission | AFP
7 September 2023
Japan's "Moon Sniper" mission blasted off Thursday as the country's space programme looks to bounce back from a string of recent mishaps, weeks after India's historic lunar triumph.
24 notes
·
View notes
The Impact of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) on Space Robotics and Autonomous System (Space RAS) Market: Mining and Manufacturing in Space
Introduction:
As humanity ventures further into space, the need for sustainable and efficient exploration has become increasingly apparent. In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a critical technology that addresses this need by enabling the extraction and use of local resources from celestial bodies.
This approach not only reduces the dependence on Earth-based supplies but also significantly impacts the development and application of Space Robotics and Autonomous System (Space RAS) Market.
This article delves into the influence of ISRU on space robotics, focusing on the mining and manufacturing processes that are transforming space exploration.
Download FREE Sample: https://www.nextmsc.com/space-robotics-and-autonomous-system-space-ras-market/request-sample
Introduction to In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) involves utilizing resources found on celestial bodies—such as the Moon, Mars, or asteroids—rather than transporting all necessary materials from Earth. ISRU technologies include mining, processing, and manufacturing materials directly in space, which can drastically reduce mission costs and enhance the sustainability of long-term space operations.
The Role of Space Robotics in ISRU
Space robotics play a pivotal role in the implementation of ISRU technologies. Robotic systems are essential for conducting the complex and often hazardous tasks involved in resource extraction and processing. The impact of ISRU on space robotics can be categorized into several key areas:
Inquire before buying: https://www.nextmsc.com/space-robotics-and-autonomous-system-space-ras-market/inquire-before-buying
1. Development of Specialized Mining Robots
ISRU requires the development of specialized mining robots capable of operating in harsh extraterrestrial environments. These robots are designed to perform tasks such as drilling, excavation, and sample collection. Key considerations for these robots include:
Adaptability: Mining robots must be adaptable to various terrains and environmental conditions, from the rocky surface of Mars to the icy regolith of the Moon. Advanced mobility systems inspired by nature and robust design features are crucial for overcoming these challenges.
Autonomy: Given the communication delays between Earth and distant celestial bodies, mining robots must be highly autonomous. They need to operate independently, make real-time decisions, and adjust their operations based on environmental feedback.
2. Integration of Resource Processing Systems
In addition to mining, ISRU involves processing extracted materials to make them usable. Space robotics are essential for integrating and operating resource processing systems, including:
Resource Refinement: Robots are used to refine raw materials extracted from celestial bodies. This may involve crushing, heating, or chemical processing to obtain valuable resources such as water, oxygen, and metals.
Manufacturing Components: Processed materials can be used to manufacture components for space habitats, spacecraft, and other infrastructure. Robotic systems capable of 3D printing and assembling parts from in-situ resources are increasingly important for building sustainable space operations.
3. Enhancing Mission Sustainability and Efficiency
ISRU-driven space robotics contribute to mission sustainability and efficiency by:
Reducing Payload Mass: By utilizing resources on-site, the mass of payloads transported from Earth can be significantly reduced. This allows for more efficient use of spacecraft launch capacity and decreases mission costs.
Enabling Longer Missions: Access to local resources supports longer-duration missions by providing essential supplies such as water and oxygen, and by facilitating the construction of habitats and other infrastructure.
Technological Innovations in ISRU-Related Space Robotics
Several technological innovations are driving the development of space robotics for ISRU applications:
1. Advanced Drilling Technologies
Innovations in drilling technologies are crucial for efficient resource extraction. Developments include:
Drill Design: Space drills are designed to penetrate and extract materials from diverse substrates, including loose regolith and hard rock. Recent advancements focus on improving drill efficiency and reliability in low-gravity and vacuum environments.
Autonomous Operation: Advanced sensors and AI algorithms enable drilling robots to autonomously identify resource-rich areas and optimize drilling parameters, reducing the need for human intervention.
2. In-Situ Resource Processing Units
Processing units are essential for converting raw materials into usable forms. Innovations include:
Regolith Processing: Technologies for processing lunar and Martian regolith to extract valuable minerals and produce construction materials are under development. This includes methods for converting regolith into metal alloys and other useful compounds.
Water Extraction: Systems for extracting water from the lunar or Martian soil or ice deposits are being refined. This involves advanced techniques for sublimating and purifying water to make it suitable for consumption and other uses.
3. 3D Printing and Manufacturing Systems
3D printing technologies are transforming how components are manufactured in space:
Material Synthesis: 3D printers designed for space applications can use ISRU-derived materials to produce parts and tools. This capability reduces reliance on Earth-supplied materials and supports the construction of habitats and equipment in space.
On-Demand Production: The ability to print components on demand enables rapid adaptation to changing mission needs and repair of damaged equipment, enhancing mission flexibility and resilience.
Case Studies and Real-World Applications
1. NASA’s Regolith Excavation and Processing
NASA has been developing technologies for regolith excavation and processing for lunar missions. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and upcoming Artemis missions will use robotic systems to explore and extract lunar regolith, which can be processed to produce oxygen and construction materials.
2. Mars Rover Missions
The Mars rovers, such as Curiosity and Perseverance, are equipped with advanced instruments for analyzing Martian soil and rocks. Future missions will integrate ISRU technologies to test and demonstrate resource extraction and processing capabilities on Mars.
3. Asteroid Mining Projects
Private companies and space agencies are exploring asteroid mining as a potential source of valuable resources. Robotic spacecraft are being designed to land on asteroids, extract materials, and return samples to Earth or process them in space for future use.
Challenges and Future Directions
While ISRU holds great promise, several challenges need to be addressed:
1. Technological and Engineering Challenges
Developing reliable and efficient mining and processing robots for space requires overcoming significant engineering challenges. These include designing systems that can operate in extreme temperatures, low gravity, and high radiation environments.
2. Cost and Resource Allocation
Investing in ISRU technologies and space robotics requires substantial financial resources. Balancing the cost of development with the potential benefits is a critical consideration for space agencies and commercial entities.
3. Legal and Regulatory Considerations
The use of extraterrestrial resources raises legal and regulatory questions, including property rights and resource ownership. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring that ISRU activities are conducted in a manner that is fair and sustainable.
Conclusion
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is transforming the landscape of space exploration by enabling the extraction and use of local resources. Space robotics play a crucial role in this transformation, driving advancements in mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies. By leveraging the power of ISRU, space missions can become more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective.
As the Space Robotics and Autonomous Systems (Space RAS) market continues to evolve, the integration of ISRU technologies will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of space exploration. By addressing current challenges and capitalizing on technological innovations, space robotics will pave the way for a new era of exploration and development in the cosmos.
3 notes
·
View notes