Japan's SLIM lunar lander is “dormant” again, perhaps forever.
Its mission was equal parts historic and tumultuous, because although the landing was accomplished with an unprecedented level of precision — living up to the nickname “Moon Sniper” — something also went wrong, as we finally discovered that the SLIM lander was upside down.
The wrong position meant that the solar cells were not receiving sunlight, so the batteries were draining quickly.
Read: The Japanese SLIM spacecraft lands on the moon, but a problem with the solar panels will significantly shorten the mission
Mission Control has to turn off the spacecraft, waiting for the sun to move west during the lunar day.
But Slim “came back to life.”
Endgaget has been reported:
“Against all the odds, Japan's SLIM lander has managed to return to action more than a week after falling upside down on the moon's surface – but now it has lay dormant throughout the lunar night, and may never be able to wake up again.”
The Japanese space agency JAXA shared the last image taken by the lander of the Shiuli crater on the moon.
A lunar night lasts the equivalent of two Earth weeks, and can get colder than -200 degrees Fahrenheit.
“The team has confirmed that the hibernating solar-powered lander will last through at least the lunar night. The chances of resuming operations after that are not great, but again, it has already surprised us once.
“Although SLIM was not designed for harsh lunar nights, we plan to try working again from mid-February, when the sun will once again shine on SLIM's solar cells,” the team wrote on X. If this is truly the last image of SLIM, it sure is creepy.
After the end of the process from 1/30 to 1/31, #Moderate build He entered into a two-week period of dormancy during the long lunar night. Although SLIM was not designed for harsh lunar nights, we plan to try operating again from mid-February, when the sun will once again shine on SLIM's solar cells. pic.twitter.com/JO4ZgDaOxo
– SLIM Small Lunar Landing Demonstration Vehicle (@SLIM_JAXA) February 1, 2024
But even if SLIM never operates again, it has already written its name in the book of space exploration with its landing on January 20.
Space.com reported:
“Despite the power issue with the lander, the event holds both political and technical significance. It is Japan's first landing on the moon, making it the fifth country in the world to land on it successfully.” the moon. This is a major achievement and strengthens Japan's position as a leader in space technology.
Read: Waiting for the Sun: Solar cells facing the wrong direction, thin Japanese lander 'stops sleeping' on the Moon – Sun rays from the west on May rescue mission
Besides the precision landing, another successful feature of the mission was the deployment of its two small rovers.
“Japan's achievement is not only symbolic, but Japan is demonstrating a number of new technologies with the lander. The name, Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon, refers to the spacecraft New precision landing technology.
This technology could aid future landings by allowing spacecraft to land in relatively small areas amid rocky or uneven terrain, rather than having to find large empty spaces. This ability will be especially important in the future Countries focus on very specific areas of interest in the lunar south pole.
Read: Oh, no: Japan's SLIM lunar lander is upside down on the moon!
The Lunar Expedition 1 module includes a camera and science equipment, and uses a jump mechanism to maneuver on the Moon. Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 is a ball small enough to fit in the palm of our hand that rolls around the surface.
There is a geopolitical element to these activities. China, India and Japan – the three countries that have successfully landed on the moon since 2000 – are engaged in a regional competition across a number of areas, including space. In addition to regional considerations, these achievements help establish countries as global leaders – capable of doing something that few countries have ever done.
Read more:
SLIM IS BACK: Japanese lunar lander batteries recharged and lunar mission resumed
