Japan will today attempt to land on the Moon using rocket SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). 

If successful, Japan will become only the fifth country to land on the moon with JAXA hoping to stack the odds in its favour by using precision navigation equipment, earning the mission the nickname ‘Moon Sniper’. 

Unlike previous missions, which have aimed for areas more than a mile across, Japan’s lander will attempt to land no more than 100 metres (330 feet) from its target.

While being dragged down by the Moon’s gravity, SLIM will have to constantly fire its rockets to slow down just enough. 

Last year, a lander launched by private Japanese company ISpace, slammed into the moon when its onboard computer became confused about its altitude. 

To make sure SLIM doesn’t make the same error, JAXA has developed a system of ‘Smart Eyes’ which rapidly processes photos of the surface to help guide the craft down.

By matching the pockmarked surface of the moon against data collected by previous landers, SLIM can navigate to a far greater degree of precision.