Japan has successfully restored communication with its Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon (SLIM) spacecraft, nearly nine days post-landing and power loss. The Moon lander experienced an awkward landing but has now been revived by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Hitoshi Kuninaka (L), director-general of JAXA's Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, speaks during a press conference to explain the mission results of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) in Tokyo on January 25, 2024.
SLIM Mission: Japan Overcomes Lunar Setbacks for Successful Recovery
Although Japan is the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, the SLIM mission, nicknamed "Moon Sniper," faced unexpected challenges. Despite its precision landing system comparing lunar features to a surface map for quick location determination, the spacecraft encountered difficulties, showcasing the complexities of lunar exploration.
On January 19, as the SLIM spacecraft descended towards its landing spot near the Shioli crater, a malfunction in one of its two main thrusters caused the spacecraft to topple onto its nose. This resulted in SLIM's solar panels being misaligned, rendering them unable to charge. However, on January 28, a change in sunlight direction allowed the probe to generate electricity.
Despite these challenges, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that SLIM has now resumed its scientific operations, marking a successful recovery from the temporary setback. The recent revival of SLIM's solar panels, attributed to the Sun's changing position, has enabled the batteries to recharge sufficiently for the lander to resume its mission.
JAXA conveyed the positive news through a tweet, stating that communication with SLIM was successfully restored, and science observations promptly recommenced with the Multi-Band Camera (MBC), achieving the first light for the 10-band observation.
READ ALSO: Japan's SLIM Space Probe Enters Moon's Orbit, Nearing Historic Lunar Landing
Revived Moon Sniper SLIM Resumes Mission Amidst Challenges
After its revival, SLIM, capturing its first image, showcased the "toy poodle," a Moon rock nicknamed by scientists. The Moon Sniper's landing was unprecedented, hitting within a remarkable 180 feet of its intended touchdown site.
During its descent, SLIM deployed LEV-1 and LEV-2, small robots autonomously exploring the lunar landscape. One of them confirmed SLIM's awkward landing by capturing an image. Scientists aim to analyze nearby rocks to uncover fresh insights into the Moon's origin.
Focusing on observing and gathering information, JAXA avoids adjusting SLIM's position to prevent potential complications, as shared by the Japanese space agency's spokesperson. With lunar daytime ending by late January and nighttime beginning in February, time is limited for mission activities.
SLIM's mission will continue, analyzing olivine rocks-a common lunar crust mineral-with a multi-band spectral camera capturing beyond human eye wavelengths. JAXA had previously released images of rocks in the area before the spacecraft's initial power loss, like the tragic scene of the lander being upside down and the new image of the "toy poodle" rock.
The operational duration of SLIM remains uncertain, with acknowledgment from experts that it wasn't designed to survive a lunar night. The impending lunar night starting on February 1 adds urgency and uncertainty to the ongoing mission.
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