In an unexpected turn of events, Japan’s Moon lander has awakened after surviving the exceptionally cold two-week lunar night, according to Japan’s space agency JAXA.
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) experienced a somewhat tumultuous landing last month, resulting in a suboptimal orientation of its solar panels. Despite this setback, the Sun’s shifting position allowed the lander to reactivate temporarily for two days, enabling it to conduct scientific analysis of a lunar crater with its high-definition camera.
As darkness enveloped the Moon again, SLIM entered a dormant state. With the lander not being built to withstand the frigid lunar nights, JAXA officials harbored doubts about whether it would power up once more.
SLIM, however, proved to be resilient. “Yesterday we sent a command, to which SLIM responded,” revealed JAXA on a social media update on Monday.
The agency excitedly announced: “SLIM succeeded in surviving a night on the Moon’s surface while maintaining its communication function!”
SLIM越夜後運用にて、航法カメラでの撮像を実施しました! pic.twitter.com/MhXQXdBAaG
— 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) February 26, 2024
Despite a successful communication, JAXA noted that they had to cut the connection shortly after as it was lunar midday, causing the temperature of the communication equipment to soar. They are currently preparing for renewal of operations once the equipment has properly cooled down.
SLIM’s landing on January 20 was accurate and within its predetermined target zone. It marked a significant success for Japan, making it the fifth entity to perform a soft landing on the Moon, following the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India.
Even with the issues during descent that caused the lander to rest on its side and the solar panels to misalign, the mission’s objective remains: to explore a section of the Moon where its mantle layer, typically situated deep below the surface, is believed to be exposed.
Focusing on this distinctive location could essentially unveil answers regarding the Moon’s origin, as well as that of the Earth, as per lunar expert Tomokatsu Morota from the University of Tokyo.
This mission is also pivotal in exploring the Moon’s potential water resources, information that would be crucial when contemplating lunar bases that may serve as stepping-stones to Mars ventures.
This encouraging update from SLIM follows a successful launch of JAXA’s H3 rocket on February 17, ending a streak of delays and unsuccessful attempts.
Other countries, including Russia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, are also setting their sights on the Moon.
The U.S. too is not far behind, with the Odysseus lander, manufactured by a private company and sponsored by NASA, making contact with the lunar surface recently.
Japan has not been stranger to lunar mission failures, however. The Omotenashi probe in 2022, and an effort by a Japanese startup to conduct a lunar landing in the previous year, both concluded unsuccessfully.
© Agence France-Presse
FAQ Section:
- What is SLIM?
- SLIM stands for Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, which is an unmanned Moon lander developed by Japan’s space agency, JAXA.
- Why was there uncertainty about SLIM surviving the lunar night?
- SLIM was not designed to endure the harsh temperatures of the lunar night, casting doubt on whether it would be able to function after the period of darkness.
- What makes SLIM’s landing a win for Japan’s space program?
- The successful soft landing of SLIM within its target zone on the Moon makes Japan only the fifth entity to achieve this landmark, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India.
- What are the objectives of the SLIM mission?
- The SLIM mission aims to explore a particular area of the Moon where its mantle, which is generally deep beneath the surface, may be exposed, aiding in understanding the origin of the Moon and Earth, and investigating potential water resources.
- Which other countries are involved in lunar exploration?
- Russia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, among others, are currently pursuing lunar exploration.
Conclusion:
The determination of Japan’s SLIM lander to survive the extreme conditions of the lunar night and its successful reawakening symbolizes a remarkable feat in space exploration. As nations around the globe forge ahead in their quests to unravel the mysteries of the Moon, the accomplishments and data from missions like SLIM not only enhance our scientific understanding but also pave the way for future interplanetary endeavors. Japan’s perseverance in space exploration, highlighted by the recently launched H3 rocket and the resilient SLIM lander, promises exciting developments and discoveries in the years to come.