Japan starts precision landing of 'moon sniper' SLIM spacecraft

Japan's spacecraft attempts a precision landing on the Moon, aiming to revitalize its space program and become the fifth country to achieve a moonshot.

Japan gave the green light for its spacecraft to make a "precision" landing on the Moon on Friday, its bid to become the world's fifth country to achieve a moonshot and revitalise a space programme that has suffered a wave of recent setbacks.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) was en route to 15 km (9 miles) above the Moon's surface, where it will start an autonomous 20-minute descent from midnight on Saturday (1500 GMT Friday).

Dubbed the "Moon sniper", SLIM is attempting to land within 100 metres (328 feet) of its target, versus the conventional accuracy of several kilometres.

JAXA says this landing technology will become a powerful tool in future exploration of hilly Moon poles seen as a potential source of oxygen, fuel and water — factors necessary to sustain life.

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JAXA will broadcast the touchdown on its YouTube channel, but has said it will take up to a month to verify whether SLIM had achieved the high-precision goals.