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Japan’s “Moon Sniper” lunar lander made pinpoint touchdown and end to battery woes may be near, space agency says
Japan’s “Moon Sniper” craft made a pinpoint lunar landing despite last-minute engine problems, the space agency said Thursday as it released the first images from the mission.
A photo taken by a mini-rover showed the boxy yellow lander sitting intact at a slight angle on the rocky grey surface, lunar slopes rising in the distance.
KIM KYUNG-HOON / REUTERS
Saturday’s touchdown made Japan only the fifth nation to achieve a soft lunar landing, after the United States, the Soviet Union, China and India.
The unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) — dubbed the “Moon Sniper” for its precision technology — had the goal of touching down within 100 meters (330 feet) of a specific landing spot on a crater.
That’s much more precise than the usual landing zone range that experts put at several kilometers.
“SLIM succeeded in a pinpoint soft landing. … The landing point is confirmed to be 55 meters away from the target point,” Japan’s space agency — the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) — said on Thursday.
The lander suffered engine problems during its descent that may have knocked it off course, Shinichiro Sakai, SLIM’s project manager, told reporters.
Before that, the craft had been on track to land even closer to its target.
Problems with the lightweight spacecraft’s solar batteries also meant they weren’t generating power.
Nearly three hours after touchdown, JAXA decided to switch SLIM off with 12 percent power remaining to allow for a possible resumption when the sun’s angle changes.
That could be in just a week, because the craft’s solar cells are facing west, the agency said.
“Based on current estimates, we are preparing for the resumption of the probe’s operations by February 1,” JAXA said.
Mission Control was able to download technical and image data from its descent and the lunar surface before powering down the craft.
The mission was aiming for a crater where the moon’s mantle, the usually deep inner layer beneath its crust, is believed to be exposed on the surface.
By analyzing the rocks there, JAXA hopes to shed light on the mystery of the moon’s possible water resources — key to building bases there one day as possible stopovers on the way to Mars.
Two probes detached successfully from SLIM on Saturday: one with a transmitter and another designed to trundle around the lunar surface beaming images to Earth.
This shape-shifting mini-rover, slightly bigger than a tennis ball, was co-developed by the firm behind the Transformer toys.
SLIM is one of several recent lunar missions by governments and private firms, 50 years after the first human moon landing.
But technical problems are rife, and the United States faced two setbacks this month in its ambitious moon programs.
Two previous Japanese lunar missions — one public and one private — have also failed.
In 2022, the country unsuccessfully sent a lunar probe named Omotenashi as part of the United States’s Artemis 1 mission.
In April, Japanese startup ispace tried in vain to become the first private company to land on the moon, losing communication with its craft after what it described as a “hard landing.”
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How to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions game today: Livestream options, more
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It will be the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Detroit Lions in a game today. The game will be played at Ford Field in Detroit. The Jaguars will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak, coming into the game with a record of just 2-8. The Lions, meanwhile, have just lost once so far this season for an overall resume of 8-1. Their single loss this season was to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in September.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions game today, even if you don’t have cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions game today
The Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions game will be played on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The NFL football game will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have access. Whether you have cable or have completely cut the cord, the game will be available with a variety of other options. Just note that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Jaguars-Lions game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Jaguars-Lions game for free
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to watch a variety of football games, Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
As the football season ramps up you may want to stock up on the latest NFL gear and merchandise. Fanatics is a great way to do so. With the latest player t-shirts, jerseys, hoodies and more, there’s plenty of stuff in stock to keep you covered this season. But don’t wait much longer. As each week in the season passes by competition for this limited merchandise will increase. Don’t wait for it to sell out.
Head over to Fanatics now to check out the latest NFL fan gear drop.