Japan launches a next-generation X-ray space telescope and lunar lander

The Japanese Space Agency JAXA launched XRISM space telescope (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission) and a small lunar lander called SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) on a H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center last night European time (2342 UTC, 8:42 a.m. local time).

The XRISM was released 14 min 21 sec after the launch and after a second burn of the second stage rocket engine, the SLIM lunar lander was deployed about 48 minutes after launch.

Read more about SLIM lunar lander and XRISM telescope at the ISAS (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, part of JAXA) website.

The launch video is also available on YouTube.