After 2 weeks in lunar night, Japan's Moon Lander "Revives."

Post by: Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

Photo-BBC

In Tokyo, Japan, the country's space agency announced a remarkable development regarding its Moon lander after the completion of a two-week lunar night. The unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) had initially landed with a tilt, causing its solar panels to face the wrong direction. However, as the sun's angle shifted, bringing daylight once more, SLIM unexpectedly reactivated, resuming its scientific mission.

During its brief operational window, which lasted two days, SLIM conducted scientific observations of a lunar crater using its high-spec camera. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported that SLIM, despite not being specifically designed for the harsh conditions of lunar nights, managed to survive the darkness, maintaining its communication functions. This successful revival came as a surprise to JAXA, which had been uncertain about the lander's ability to awaken after the lunar night.

JAXA shared the news of SLIM's resurgence on social media, stating that they had sent a command to the lander, which it promptly responded to. However, due to the high temperature of the communication equipment during lunar midday, communications were terminated shortly after. Nevertheless, JAXA expressed optimism about resuming operations once the instrument temperatures had sufficiently cooled down.

The SLIM lander, also known as the "Moon Sniper" for its precision landing technology, accomplished its initial touchdown within its designated landing zone on January 20. This achievement marked a significant success for Japan's space program, especially considering recent setbacks. Despite encountering engine problems during descent, which resulted in a sideways landing and misalignment of its solar panels, SLIM managed to achieve a "soft landing" on the Moon.

The success of the SLIM mission added Japan to the exclusive list of nations that have achieved soft landings on the lunar surface, joining the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India. This accomplishment was particularly noteworthy given Japan's recent space endeavors, which had faced several challenges and failures.

The positive outcome with SLIM came on the heels of another success for JAXA—the successful launch of its new flagship H3 rocket on February 17. After years of delays and previous failed attempts, the third launch proved to be the charm for the Japanese space agency.

While Japan celebrated its achievements in space exploration, other countries also pursued lunar missions. Russia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates were among those aiming to reach the Moon, each with its respective space programs and objectives.

Meanwhile, the United States saw a resurgence in lunar exploration efforts with the recent landing of the uncrewed Odysseus lander near the lunar south pole. Built by a private company and funded by NASA, this mission marked the first American spacecraft to land on the Moon since the Apollo era. However, the lander experienced challenges during landing, potentially ending up in a sideways position.

Despite setbacks, the mission continued as ground controllers worked to download data and photos from the surface. Additionally, private Japanese firm ispace made attempts to land on the Moon in the previous year, though contact was lost after a "hard landing."

Overall, the developments in lunar exploration showcased both the challenges and triumphs of space exploration, highlighting the determination of nations and private entities to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos.

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