Photo/Illutration Hitoshi Kuninaka, center, head of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, speaks to reporters at a Jan. 20 news conference flanked by his deputy, Masaki Fujimoto, left, and JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa. (Takayuki Kakuno)

Let’s do it just beyond that crater.

Commander Neil Armstrong chose the landing spot of Apollo 11’s Lunar Module Eagle on the moon while flying the module over the Sea of Tranquility as he desperately searched for a safe and smooth area.

Initially, the exact spot was unknown to NASA's Mission Control Center on Earth, and even Michael Collins, who was flying the command module, had to use a sextant to search for his two crewmates on the moon.

Fifty-five years later, a Japanese moon landing mission chose the landing spot according to “where we really want to land” instead of “where we can land.” Japan's SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) probe landed on the moon on Jan. 20.

The live broadcast showed the spacecraft's trajectory as a beautiful curve that perfectly matched the one drawn by the computer calculation in advance--a feat that can be summed up in one word: magnificent.

Strangely, however, during the news conference that started in the wee hours of Jan. 20, there was a certain stiffness in the expressions of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) officials.

It seems the probe’s solar panels were not generating power as expected, preventing the officials from displaying full smiles.

The probe is now using its internal battery to transmit valuable flight data back to Earth. Some of the planned lunar surface investigations might not be possible due to battery exhaustion.

Seen from the distant reaches of space, “Spaceship Earth,” a solitary orb of life gracefully floating in an ocean of darkness, may seem to be in a similar situation as SLIM. 

The crew on Earth wants this and that, but the resources aboard are limited. The challenge is how to wisely preserve and use these resources.

SLIM still stands near the ear of the “mochi” rice cake-making “Moon Rabbit” and close to the Sea of Nectar. This adds one more delight to looking up at the moon.

In a few days, when the full moon arrives, the young minds of future astronomers will brim with imagination and surely be inspired by the celestial orb.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 21

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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