Japan's space agency says its lunar lander will be launched on an H2A rocket next month.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, on Tuesday announced the launch of the probe called the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM.

The SLIM project is seeking to be Japan's first lunar landing. It will test pinpoint landing technology as well as examining moon rocks.

If successful, Japan would be the fourth country to carry out a lunar landing.

Data obtained by the probe would be used for the US-led Artemis program aimed at sending astronauts to the moon for space exploration.
The H2A is to lift off from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan on August 26 at 9:34 a.m., local time.

The launch vehicle will also carry a new X-ray astronomical satellite, XRISM, jointly developed with US space agency NASA and others.

There have been concerns over the launch of the H2A after a failed debut of the country's new flagship H3 rocket in March.

JAXA has since taken measures such as enhancing examination of parts shared by the H2A and the H3.

H2A rockets boast a success rate of 98 percent when improved H2B rockets are included. The rate is among the highest in the world.