"Japan's Lunar Mission: Countdown to Moon Sniper Landing"

Japan's space agency, JAXA, is attempting to land its high-precision "Moon Sniper" probe on the lunar surface, aiming to become the fifth country to achieve this feat. The mission, part of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) project, is crucial for advancing lunar exploration and could provide a significant advantage in international missions like NASA's Artemis program. The spacecraft also carries a shape-shifting robot, SORA-Q, designed to navigate the lunar surface and capture valuable images. If successful, this mission could pave the way for future exploration of the moon's hilly poles and potential sources of oxygen, fuel, and water.