Connect with us

World

Japan Became The Fifth Country To Reach The Moon After Its Spacecraft Landed On The Lunar Surface

Published

on

Japan Became The Fifth Country To Reach The Moon After Its Spacecraft Landed On The Lunar Surface

According to officials, TOKYO— Japan became the fifth country in history to visit the moon when its spacecraft landed on the lunar surface early Saturday. However, a power supply issue could jeopardise the mission.

Officials also said they needed more time to determine whether the spacecraft, which was not carrying people, achieved a precise landing – one of the mission’s aims.

Hitoshi Kuninaka, director of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, believes that rovers were launched, and data was transmitted back to Earth from the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon or SLIM.

However, he stated that SLIM’s solar battery was not producing electricity and that the spacecraft’s battery life would only be a few more hours. He stated that the aim now was for the craft to collect as much moon data as possible on the remaining battery.

Japan joined the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India in visiting the moon.

japan

Japan Became The Fifth Country To Reach The Moon After Its Spacecraft Landed On The Lunar Surface

Kuninaka argues that Japan’s space programme has achieved “minimum” success.

SLIM arrived on the moon around 12:20 a.m. Tokyo time on Saturday (1520 GMT on Friday).

There was a nervous wait for word when the Japan Space Agency’s mission control initially stated that SLIM was on the lunar surface but was still “checking its status.” This information was provided nearly two hours later during a news conference.

Space officials must confirm that SLIM achieved a precise touchdown to be regarded as successful. While additional time is needed, Kuninaka believes it was most likely achieved based on his observations of the spacecraft’s movement till landing.

SLIM, which was attempting to hit a very small target, is a small spacecraft around the size of a passenger vehicle. It used “pinpoint landing” technology, which offers significantly more control than previous lunar landings.

Most prior probes employed landing zones around 10 kilometres (six miles) wide, but SLIM aimed at a target of only 100 metres (330 feet).

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, worked on precision technologies for two decades before launching the project.

japan

Japan Became The Fifth Country To Reach The Moon After Its Spacecraft Landed On The Lunar Surface

As the spacecraft descended, JAXA’s mission control reported that everything was going as anticipated and that SLIM was on the lunar surface. However, there needed to be a mention of whether the landing was successful. Mission control repeatedly stated that it was “checking its status” and that more information would be released during the news conference.

SLIM, also known as “the Moon Sniper,” began its drop at midnight on Saturday and was down to around 10 kilometres (six miles) over the lunar surface within 15 minutes, according to the space agency, JAXA.

The lander was in vertical fall mode at five kilometres (three miles) height, and SLIM was meant to conduct a parallel movement to identify a safe landing location about 50 metres (165 feet) above the surface, according to JAXA.

The mission’s primary purpose is to test new landing technology that will enable moon expeditions to land “where we want to, rather than where it is easy to land,” according to JAXA. Using a unique camera, the spacecraft is meant to look for clues concerning the moon’s formation, including mineral analysis.

The SLIM, which was equipped with a pad to cushion the impact, was attempting to land near the Shioli crater, which is surrounded by volcanic rock.

The carefully watched mission came just ten days after a private American company’s moon mission failed when the spacecraft experienced a fuel leak hours after launch.

SLIM was launched on a Mitsubishi Heavy H2A rocket in September. It initially orbited Earth before entering the lunar circle on December 25.

Following several setbacks, Japan aims to reestablish faith in its space technology. A Japanese-designed spacecraft crashed during a lunar landing attempt in April, while a new flagship rocket failed to launch in March.

JAXA has a track record of challenging landings. Its Hayabusa2 spacecraft, launched in 2014, landed twice on the 900-meter-long (3,000-foot-long) asteroid Ryugu to collect samples, which were returned to Earth.

japan

Japan Became The Fifth Country To Reach The Moon After Its Spacecraft Landed On The Lunar Surface

Experts argue that a successful SLIM pinpoint landing, particularly on the moon, would boost Japan’s prominence in the global space technology race.

Takeshi Tsuchiya, an aeronautics professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering, stated that confirming the accuracy of landing on a specific spot is critical for future moon exploration.

“It is necessary to show the world that Japan has the appropriate technology to be able to properly assert Japan’s position in lunar development,” he said. He stated that the moon is significant for resource exploitation and may be utilised as a base to travel to planets like Mars.

SLIM is carrying two small autonomous probes, the lunar excursion vehicles LEV-1 and LEV-2, which will be launched shortly before landing.

LEV-1, outfitted with an antenna and a camera, is charged with filming SLIM’s landing. In collaboration with Sony, Tymaker Tomy, and Doshisha University, JAXA created LEV-2, a ball-shaped rover with two cameras.

JAXA will live stream the landing, and space enthusiasts will gather at the agency’s Sagamihara facility southwest of Tokyo to watch the momentous event on a large screen.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

Continue Reading

News

Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92

Published

on

Dan Rather Synonymous with CBS News Dies at Age 92
Dan Rather CBS Evening News

Dan Rather was synonymous with CBS News before the veteran anchorman left in bitterness in 2006, following a discredited report on then-President George W Bush has died at the age of 92.

Dan Rather returned to the CBS News airwaves for the first time since his bitter exit 18 years ago, appearing in a reflective interview on “CBS Sunday Morning” days before the debut of a Netflix documentary on the 92-year-old newsman’s life.

After 44 years at the network, 24 as anchor of the “CBS Evening News,” Rather left under a cloud following a botched investigation into then-President George W. Bush’s military record. Rather signed off as anchor for the last time on March 9, 2005, and exited the network when his contract ended 15 months later.

With continued enmity between him and since-deposed CBS chief Leslie Moonves, Rather essentially became a nonperson at the news division he dominated for decades.

“Without apology or explanation, I miss CBS,” Rather told correspondent Lee Cowan in the interview that aired Sunday. “I’ve missed it since the day I left.”

Dan Rather

Rather questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service: Image Vox

Dan Rather escaped official blame for the report that questioned Bush’s Vietnam War-era National Guard service but, as the anchor who introduced it, was identified with it.

CBS could not vouch for the authenticity of some documents upon which the report was based, although many people involved in the story still believe it was true.

In the documentary “Rather,” debuting Wednesday on Netflix, Rather said he thought he would survive the incident, but his wife, Jean, told him, “You got into a fight with the president of the United States during his reelection campaign. What did you think was going to happen?”

Rather did not retire after leaving CBS, doing investigative journalism and rock star interviews for HDNet, a digital cable and satellite television network. Over the past few years, he has become known to a new generation as a tart-talking presence on social media.

This past week, he posted on X during former President Trump’s hush money trial: “Is it just me or did today seem sleazy even for Donald Trump?”

“You either get engaged and you get engaged in the new terms … or you’re out of the game,” Rather said in the CBS interview, filmed at his home in Texas. “And I wanted to stay in the game.”

The Netflix documentary traces his career from coverage of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Vietnam War and Watergate, through his anchor years and beyond. It includes some of the then tightly-wound Rather’s odder incidents, including an assault in New York City by someone saying, “What’s the frequency, Kenneth,” then later appearing onstage with R.E.M. when the group performed its song of the same name.

In both the documentary and in the CBS interview, Rather bypasses his career when talk turned to his legacy.

“In the end, whatever remains of one’s life — family, friends — those are going to be the things for which you’re remembered,” he said.

Source: The Associated Press

Continue Reading

World

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Published

on

tornadoes
AP - VOR News Image

The city of Omaha, located in Nebraska, is the subject of this article. On Saturday, residents began examining the debris following a tornado that tore through suburban Omaha, Nebraska. The tornado caused extensive damage to homes and businesses as it traveled miles across farmland and into residential areas.

A crowd assembled in the streets of the Elkhorn region in Omaha amidst the fragmented remnants of the residences. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen intends to visit the area and after that conduct a press briefing on Saturday in Omaha.

The tornadoes that occurred on Friday night caused extensive destruction in the Midwest. One building collapsed, trapping numerous individuals inside, while hundreds of residences were either destroyed or damaged.

tornadoes

AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Multiple injury incidents have been documented. However, no deaths have been reported.

Three individuals sustained injuries in Lancaster County, Nebraska, as a result of a tornado striking an industrial structure, leading to its collapse while containing 70 occupants. Multiple individuals were confined. However, all individuals were successfully removed from the premises, and the injuries sustained were deemed non-fatal, as stated by the police.

A devastating tornadoes traveled a considerable distance on Friday, first affecting agricultural land before causing significant damage to residences and other buildings in the suburban areas of Omaha. Omaha has a population of 485,000 people and a metropolitan area of approximately 1 million.

Images shared on social media platforms also depict extensive destruction in the small town of Minden, Iowa, which is located approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Omaha.

During a briefing on Friday, Jeff Theulen, the top deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, stated that 40 to 50 homes had been entirely demolished. Two injuries were documented, but none risked the individuals’ lives.

According to him, school buses have been sent to provide transportation for residents who require it to leave the area. He requested that others refrain from entering the area due to its high level of hazard, characterized by fallen power lines and heaps of debris where houses once stood.

“It is truly distressing to witness these individuals who have suffered the loss of their homes, vehicles, and essentially their entire livelihood until they are able to reconstruct it,” he expressed.

The Saturday forecast was foreboding. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for northern Texas and western Oklahoma on Saturday morning.

“There is a possibility of tornadoes, potentially significant tornadoes, occurring on Saturday afternoon and evening,” stated Bruce Thoren, a meteorologist from the weather service in Norman, Oklahoma.

Areas of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas were under tornado warnings. Meteorologists warned that significant hail and powerful gusts of wind could occur.

Omaha police Lieutenant Neal Bonacci reported that numerous residences in Omaha, particularly in the Elkhorn district in the city’s western region, sustained damage on Friday. In response, police officers and firefighters visited households to provide assistance.

Several recently constructed, spacious residences in a specific section of Elkhorn sustained significant damage. A minimum of six structures were severely damaged, with one completely demolished and others experiencing significant damage to their upper sections. A multitude of emergency cars swiftly arrived at the location.

tornadoes

AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

According to Pat Woods, a resident of Elkhorn, we observed the touchdown of the object approximately 200 yards away before seeking shelter. “We were able to perceive its approach.” Upon our arrival, we discovered that our fence had disappeared. As we gazed towards the northwest, we observed that the entire neighborhood had vanished.

Kim Woods, his spouse, stated, “The entire residential area located to the north of our location has been severely devastated.”

According to Dhaval Naik, who claims to work with the owner of the residence, three individuals, including a toddler, were present in the basement of the destroyed house during the tornadoes. However, they managed to escape unharmed.

A video from KETV-TV depicted the evacuation of a woman from a destroyed residence in Blair, a city located to the north of Omaha. The woman was transported on a stretcher.According to Bonacci, two individuals were brought for medical care, both of whom sustained minor injuries.

“The few serious injuries were prevented because people were given warnings,” stated Omaha Police ChiefTodd Schmaderer.

A tornado warning was issued in the Omaha vicinity on Friday afternoon, coinciding with the scheduled departure of students from school. Several schools implemented a shelter-in-place protocol for kids until the storm subsided.

“Was it a single continuous tornado or were there multiple tornadoes?” Kern from the National Weather Service inquired.

According to her, the agency intended to dispatch numerous teams in the next few days to assess the quantity and intensity of the tornadoes. This process could last up to a fortnight.

A tornado struck an area on the eastern periphery of Omaha, causing direct damage to sections of Eppley Airfield, the city’s airport. Aircraft operations were temporarily suspended to assess the damage, but the facility was subsequently reopened, according to Steve McCoy, Chief Strategy Officer of the Omaha Airport Authority.

tornadoes

AP – VOR News Image

Residents Begin Going Through The Rubble After Tornadoes Hammer Parts Of Nebraska And Iowa

Although the tornadoes did not directly strike the passenger terminal, McCoy stated that individuals promptly sought refuge in storm shelters until the tornadoes subsided.

Following its path through the airport, the tornado over the Missouri River entered Iowa, specifically to the north of Council Bluffs.

According to sheriff’s officials, in Lancaster County, three individuals sustained injuries as a result of the collapse of an industrial facility. Additionally, there have been reports of a train that has tipped over near Waverly, Nebraska.

Approximately 10,000 customers in the Omaha area experienced a power outage, as reported by the Omaha Public Power District. On Saturday morning, the number had decreased to slightly over 4,300.

Pillen, the governor of Nebraska, announced on the social media platform X that he had directed the allocation of state resources to assist in the emergency response and help first responders evaluate the extent of the damage.

SOURCE – (AP)

Continue Reading

World

Andrew Tate Human Trafficking Trial to Proceed in Romania

Published

on

Andrew Tate Human Trafficking Trial to Proceed in Romania

The trial of popular influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan will proceed, the criminal court in Romanian has announced. Tate, his brother Tristan, and two Romanian female suspects were accused in June on charges of human trafficking, rape, and organizing a criminal gang to sexually exploit people, which they deny.

Under Romanian law, the case was then sent to the Bucharest court’s preliminary chamber, which was responsible for inspecting the case files and evidence to guarantee validity. The process is now complete, and the criminal trial may begin.

“The court notes the legality of evidence management by… prosecutors, and rules that the case can go to trial,” the Bucharest court said, adding that the decision can be appealed. There is no definite date for the trial.

Eugen Vidineac, the brothers’ principal defence lawyer, stated that he has filed an appeal against the ruling.

“The preliminary chamber judge’s decision lacks a legal basis and reasoning,” he stated in a statement. “We have filed a strong appeal as we believe the ruling to be unlawful.”

The Tates’ counsel stated that no trial date had been set, and that “the decision is going to be appealed.”

Britain’s request to extradite Andrew Tate

In March, a Romanian court authorized Britain’s request to extradite Andrew Tate and his brother on sexual assault claims stretching back to 2012-15, but only after Romanian trial processes had concluded.

The Tate brothers, both former kickboxers with dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom, are the most high-profile accused facing human trafficking trials in Romania, and their case will serve as a test for Romania’s anti-organized crime prosecuting arm DIICOT.

Adult trafficking, like rape, carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

From late December 2022 to April 2023, the Tate brothers were in police custody to prevent them from escaping the country or tampering with evidence.

They were subsequently held under house arrest until August, when courts placed them under judicial control, a less stringent arrangement that allows them to move freely but not leave the country.

According to Romanian prosecutors, the Tate brothers recruited their victims by charming them and making false claims about wanting a relationship or marriage.

The victims were subsequently driven to homes outside of Bucharest and sexually exploited through physical abuse and mental intimidation by being forced to create pornographic content for social media platforms that produced a lot of money, according to prosecutors.

Tate, a self-proclaimed sexist, has amassed millions of followers by preaching an ultra-masculine lifestyle that opponents argue denigrates women.

Who is Andrew Tate?

Andrew Tate is a controversial internet celebrity who promotes toxic masculinity and holds misogynistic ideas. The former kickboxer rose to prominence after posting sexist, homophobic, and nasty messages on social media and in viral videos.

Tate’s incendiary words frequently objectify women, excuse sexual assault, and reinforce damaging gender stereotypes. Despite being banned from multiple platforms, his cult-like following spreads his harmful views online.

Tate’s unabashed embrace of hypermasculinity and a lavish lifestyle appeals to disillusioned young men looking for approval. However, many see his ideas as a breeding ground for internet radicalism, which fuels real-world violence and persecution of women.

Tate’s unbridled anger has triggered a global response, with critics accusing him of spreading hate speech that normalizes women’s degradation.

Source; Reuters

 

Continue Reading

Volunteering at Soi Dog

Download Our App

vornews app

Trending