Japan made history last month when it became the fifth nation to soft land on the moon. What’s more, they landed it close to their target, a feat that could be a gamechanger for space travel. This week we discuss the science and the politics behind Japan’s lunar landing. 

Joel Tansey: Articles | X

Tomoko Otake: Articles | X

Gabriel Dominguez: Articles | X

Read more/Watch more/Play more: 

Japan makes history as spacecraft lands on the moon (Tomoko Otake and Joel Tansey, The Japan Times)

One small step for a JAXA spacecraft, one giant leap for exploration  (Elizabeth Tasker, The Japan Times)

Japan’s moonshot may mark breakthrough for future lunar missions (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times)

Geopolitics in space: Why great powers are scrambling for the moon (Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times)

SLIM Moon Landing Live & Press Conference (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, YouTube)

SORA-Q Flagship Model (Takara Tomy)

SLIM: The pinpoint moon landing game (JAXA Space Education Center)

Artemis Accords (U.S. Dept. of State)

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Photo:  The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is seen on the surface of the moon in an image released Jan. 25. | JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY (JAXA), TAKARA TOMY, SONY GROUP, DOSHINSHA UNIVERSITY/ VIA REUTERS