The Japanese space agency says its unmanned lunar probe, SLIM, made the world's first "pinpoint" landing on the moon's surface last Saturday. Japan is the fifth country to land a lunar probe.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, held a news conference on Thursday. It explained that detailed analysis of data shows that SLIM, or Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, landed about 55 meters east of the target point. It said SLIM made a "pinpoint" lunar landing as it touched down within 100 meters of the target area.

In contrast, probes sent by other countries to the moon in the past missed their target points by several kilometers.

JAXA also said two small robot probes were released by SLIM just before touchdown and are functioning normally. They have sent pictures of SLIM lying on the lunar surface, with its main engines pointing upward.

The agency said that while SLIM was making its descent toward the lunar surface, one of its two main engines lost thrust at an altitude of about 50 meters due to some kind of abnormality.

It said the engine problem resulted in SLIM landing at an unexpected angle that makes it impossible for its solar panel to receive enough sunlight to generate electricity. JAXA explained that the panel is currently facing west, and it could start generating electricity if sunlight starts shining from the west.

JAXA Project Manager Sakai Shinichiro said he gives the SLIM mission a perfect score in terms of its successful pinpoint landing.

He added that his team will continue to do whatever it can to restore the probe's ability to generate solar power.