Optimus Prime and the Moon Sniper

Hi Spacecats, I'm Dr Maggie Lieu and welcome to my channel, where you can find all things space, astronomy and physics! In this week's video, we look at the groundbreaking SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) project, a technological marvel aiming to make Japan the 5th country to achieve a soft lunar landing. This mission is not just a lunar landing; it's a demonstration of unprecedented precision and innovation, with SLIM being nicknamed the 'Moon Sniper' for its high-accuracy landing capability.

We also introduce SORA-Q, the Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2, a mini rover that resembles a futuristic transformer. Developed in collaboration between JAXA, Sony Group, Doshisha University, and TOMY, this tiny probe is set to change our understanding of the lunar surface. Witness how it transforms and explore its role alongside LEV-1 in transmitting vital data back to Earth.

This video offers an in-depth look at the mission's objectives, including SLIM's vision-based navigation technology and the lunar mantle's composition analysis. Discover how Japan's advanced lunar landers are opening new frontiers for space exploration.

Links:

Media credits:
SORA-Q Flagship Model: Takara Tomy
SLIM: JAXA
SLIM Landing spot: JAXA/NASA/LRO
LRA: NASA GSFC
Peregrine Lander: Astrobiotic

Media credits:
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[LukeRobertMason]

Love the new logo, camera, audio & green screen set-up! 🤯

[garyfilmer]

Great video, Dr Maggie Lieu, super new technology for the SLIM to do a perfect landing — hoping for a successful moon landing and marvellous new data and pictures!

[Petertronic]

Nice video, really looking forward to seeing what happens with this mission. And Happy Birthday!

[AndersWelander]

I'm feeling optimistic that the landing will be soft after hearing your description of the technology. Love the little robots. It's a pity they won't be able to play longer. I have to have one too.

[markbrierley]

Hi Dr Lieu, thanks for the video. I had no idea about this mission, I need to pay more attention to what going on above my head!

[annexcelestial]

This was a really great video Dr Maggie...I love the little camera robot and I thinkbi want one too...thank you for sharing your hard work!!!

[SpaceMogLuna]

Working late on a project. Perfect timing for a Luna break… She likes watching another Space Cat on my iPhone. You know I love The Moon. So does Luna. Thank you for the inspiration… 😘🌖

[onebylandtwoifbysearunifby]

So we're sending robotic frogs to jump around the Moon? This is probably not what 1969 imagined lunar ecploration would be 50 years later.

[AdzworldofcrazySht]

Great video Maggie, cant wait for the outcome. Now just need someone to do a close flyby of the Apollo landing sites to see what condition their in after all these years.

[CarbonCopy]

Cheers for the upload Dr lieu. Love all your videos 👍👍👍

[europhile]

Great video! I'd never heard of this mission. Keep us posted on what happens. I like the plate by the way 🙂

[AlanMGross]

Interesting video! I don't mean to nit-pick, but at 2:20, you said, "bounce sound waves". Please explain how sound waves will be able to propagate, or was this a slip of the tongue.

[hankseda]

Dr M, your channel is great for space tech and operations news 👍 the only way it'd be better is if you're reporting from the location 😉

[johnlewis]

There’s definitely some exiting things happening on the moon now. Hopefully it’ll all go well and with a little luck we’ll get some interesting footage as well

[mballer]

Sound waves?
In a vacuum?
How does that work?
2:14 RADAR? radio waves? SONAR sound waves?
Hmmm...
Color me confused.

[stevenyee]

Great video on the SLIM lunar lander. Cute rover toys. Wish SORA-Q could plug into the lander to recharge for a longer mission.

I see you’re transmitting from your own spaceship. I didn’t know AI know to generate symmetry pics. 😳

[husk]

just imagine being an alien on the moon and seeing little mechanical machines rolling and hopping around... I hope everything does go well and we get some good data and stuff from the moon. id love to get one of those SORA-Q toys too... i hope we can find them in Europe. 🌑🚀😸

[onebylandtwoifbysearunifby]

_Moon Sniper, _ the new 007 Bond movie. Soft landing in theaters soon.

[BZAKether]

I hope this one makes it, the failure to land the Peregrine Mission was a huge letdown, it wasn't just supposed to be the first USA lander in decades but also the first Mexican and Latino American rover on the moon :/

[rob.parsnips]

Two hours?! Do they recover the robot? Or is it just two hours of work and then sit on the lunar surface till the sun enters its giant phase and swallows the moon?