Japan's JAXA Announces Launch Date for Next Lunar Robot Module

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed the scheduled launch date for its next robotic spacecraft bound for the Moon. The launch will take place from the Tanegashima Space Center using a Japanese launch vehicle, with the mission forming part of a long‑term plan to advance autonomous navigation, precision landing and lunar surface science.

The upcoming module will analyse the Moon’s geology, test new autonomous navigation systems, improve precision‑landing techniques and gather data to support future international missions and potential permanent lunar bases. It builds on the experience gained from the SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) mission, which achieved a high‑precision landing despite a motor issue, establishing Japan as one of the few nations to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon.