Stories by Jatan Mehta

Jatan Mehta is a globally published independent space exploration writer and author of Moon Monday, a newsletter dedicated to covering lunar exploration developments from around the globe.

Image of JAXA's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) in its final landing position on the moon.

Space ExplorationMarch 12, 2024

Japan’s Lunar Landing Was Lopsided—And Transformative

Japan’s SLIM lander has sparked a new era of precision landings, with big implications for lunar science and exploration

Jatan Mehta

A rocket carrying Chandrayaan-3 lifts off from the spaceport in Sriharikota, in the foreground groups of adults and children watch, take photos, and wave Indian flags

Space ExplorationAugust 23, 2023

Chandrayaan-3 Makes Historic Touchdown on the Moon

The successful lunar landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission makes India only the fourth country to achieve the feat

Jatan Mehta

AerospaceJuly 13, 2023

India Aims for the Moon with Launch of Chandrayaan-3

After a failure in 2019, India’s second attempt to land on the moon comes as the nation signs on to a U.S.-led plan to shape future global lunar activities

Jatan Mehta

The white oval near the center of this orbital image shows the landing ellipse for NASA's Perseverance rover, the location in Jezero Crater on Mars where it is expected to touch down on February 18, 2021.

Space & PhysicsFebruary 17, 2021

How NASA Aims to Achieve Perseverance’s High-Stakes Mars Landing

The robotic rover’s touchdown is meant to be the most accurate ever attempted on the Red Planet, opening the way for future pinpoint landfalls throughout the solar system

Jatan Mehta