Japan Moon probe survives second lunar night

Japan’s Moon exploration endeavor has achieved a remarkable milestone as its lunar lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), defied the odds by surviving a second lunar night, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced on Thursday. Despite initial challenges stemming from a wonky landing angle that misaligned its solar panels, SLIM successfully transmitted new images of the lunar surface back to Earth.

The unexpected revival of SLIM was met with enthusiasm within the scientific community, especially in contrast to the recent setback encountered by the uncrewed American lander, Odysseus, which failed to reactivate. Intuitive Machines, the manufacturer of Odysseus, had hoped for a similar outcome but declared the mission over after the lander remained dormant.

JAXA’s SLIM, aptly nicknamed the “Moon Sniper” for its precision landing capabilities, aims to explore a specific region of the Moon’s mantle accessible at the landing site. Despite not being designed for the harsh lunar nights, SLIM’s successful awakening marks a significant achievement for Japan’s space program, which has experienced both triumphs and setbacks in recent years.

The SLIM mission adds to Japan’s legacy in space exploration, which has seen notable successes such as the launch of the H3 rocket, alongside challenges including previous lunar mission failures and setbacks in satellite deployment efforts. As Japan continues its endeavors in space exploration, the latest developments with SLIM serve as a testament to the resilience and innovation driving the nation’s pursuit of scientific discovery beyond Earth’s bounds.