This has been announced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). successfully this Thursday a rocket to orbit a new research satellite to unravel the evolution of the universe and space-time, and a lunar lander.

The 47th H2A rocket was launched at 08:42 local time (Wednesday 23:42 GMT) from the Tanegashima Space Center, located in Kagoshima (southwest of the archipelago), and the first stages developed as planned without any problems, according to the JAXA.

The mission was originally scheduled to launch at the end of August, but the launch was postponed due to bad weather.

Today marked the first launch of this magnitude from the island following the failed initial launch of Japan’s next-generation H3 rocket last March, which, along with the recent failed missions to land modules on the moon, dealt a serious and worrying blow. . for the Japanese aerospace industry.

The X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) satellite is an X-ray observation device intended to investigate the winds of plasma gases they blast through galaxies to unravel the evolution of the universe and the structure of space-time.

The mission, led by Japan, is a joint project with US NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

XRISM specializes in high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations of the motion of these hot gases to determine mass and energy flows that help understand the composition and evolution of celestial bodies.

X-rays are released in the most energetic explosions and in the hottest places in the universe, including the gas masses that surround galaxy clusters.

The remaining gas in the clusters of galaxies is leftover from the birth and death of stars, so studying the X-rays it emits would allow us to discover what elements it contains and draw a map of how the universe came to be. enriched with them.

The mission also aims to measure X-ray light emitted by extremely dense objects, such as the large black holes at the center of some galaxies, to help understand how space-time warps around you and to what extent this warps. affects your consciousness. galaxies.

XRISM specializes in X-ray spectroscopic observations.

The SLIM module, in turn, is Japan’s new attempt to make its first successful moon landing.

The module is expected to enter orbit of Earth’s natural satellite in about three to four months, and the landing attempt will take place in about four to six months.

The lander will attempt to hit the lunar surface near the Shioli crater, near the lunar equator, in an attempt to make “the most accurate landing” yet, JAXA said.

The device will capture images that will be used in the Artemis lunar exploration project, which aims to facilitate the return of humans to the moon and ultimately the exploration of Mars.

If successful, Japan would become the fifth country to land a module on the moon, after the former Soviet Union, the US, Canada and India. (JO)