Japan’s unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (Slim), which experienced a difficult touchdown on the lunar surface last month, has successfully communicated with Earth, indicating its survival through the challenging lunar night, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).
Surviving the Lunar Night
Despite landing at an awkward angle that compromised the orientation of its solar panels, Slim managed to power up and conduct observations using a high-specification camera as the sun’s position shifted. However, concerns lingered about its ability to withstand the prolonged darkness of the lunar night.
Reawakening and Future Operations
Jaxa reported that Slim responded to a command signal from Earth, marking a significant achievement in surviving the lunar night. Although communications were brief due to high temperatures, plans are in place to resume operations once the lander’s instruments have cooled sufficiently.
A Milestone for Japan’s Space Endeavors
Slim’s successful landing and survival on the moon represent a major accomplishment for Japan’s space program, positioning the country among the few that have achieved a soft landing on the lunar surface. This success comes after several setbacks and is a testament to Japan’s growing capabilities in space exploration.
International Moon Missions
The lunar landscape is becoming increasingly crowded with missions from various countries, including Russia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, all aiming to explore the moon. The recent landing of the US’s Odysseus lander near the lunar south pole further underscores the global interest in lunar exploration.
Japan’s Slim lander’s resilience through the lunar night highlights the progress and challenges of current lunar missions, emphasizing the collaborative and competitive nature of space exploration in the 21st century.
Also learn about Revival on the Lunar Surface: Japan’s SLIM Lander Springs Back to Action.
