The H2A rocket was sent into space at 08.42 local time from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima in the southwest.
The rocket carries “SLIM” and the XRISM X-ray astronomical satellite, which aims to test sensitive landing technologies on the lunar surface.
Manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric, SLIM has a height of 2.4 meters and a width of 2.7 meters and weighs 700 kilograms.
It is aimed that the lander will enter the orbit of the Moon within 3 to 4 months and reach the lunar surface within 4 to 6 months.
Observations and data on the Moon obtained by Japan will be used in the “Artemis” project led by the USA. (AA)