Japan's ambitious Moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), encountered a significant challenge following its historic touchdown on the lunar surface. The lander, which made its debut landing near the Shioli crater, ended up on its nose, rotating 90 degrees from its intended orientation. This unexpected position likely contributed to difficulties in power generation, crucial for the lander's operation.
This development was revealed through images captured by the baseball-sized robot Sora-Q, which was ejected from SLIM moments before its touchdown last Saturday. The Japanese space agency JAXA identified an abnormality in SLIM's main engine, affecting its landing attitude. Despite the setback, SLIM transmitted initial images back to Earth, showing it surrounded by small rocks on a slope.
SLIM’s landing was a remarkable achievement, marking Japan as only the fifth national space agency to achieve a soft touchdown on the Moon. The precision technology used by SLIM, employing rapid image processing and crater mapping, allowed it to land within 55m of its targeted location, a significant accomplishment in lunar exploration.
However, the post-landing challenges highlight the complexities of space missions. SLIM was unable to generate sufficient electricity due to its solar cells' misalignment with the Sun, leading to a rapid battery drain and the decision to hibernate the spacecraft. JAXA hopes to reactivate SLIM when lighting conditions change at its landing site.
The lander's difficulties underscore the inherent risks and uncertainties of lunar exploration. Despite these challenges, the mission represents a significant technological advancement, with its ability to land with unprecedented accuracy and its potential to contribute valuable scientific data about the Moon's surface and composition. As JAXA continues to monitor and adapt to the situation, SLIM's journey on the Moon remains a testament to the perseverance and ingenuity of space exploration.
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