Japan has launched a rocket carrying a small lunar lander and an X-ray telescope that will explore the origins of the universe.
The X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission, or XRISM, will measure the speed and makeup of what lies between galaxies in an effort to discover how the universe was created. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon is expected to attempt a lunar landing early next year.
Japan’s launch comes after recent lunar missions from India and Russia and plans announced by the US and China
Footage from moon shows Indian lunar lander successfully ‘hopping’ – video
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