Japan’s Lander Returns to Dormancy During the Lunar Night.

Japan’s moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), experienced a temporary setback after landing at an incorrect angle last month. This caused its solar panels to face the wrong direction. However, there was a glimmer of hope when the sun’s angle shifted, allowing SLIM to function for two days this week. During this time, it conducted scientific observations of a crater using its advanced camera.

However, SLIM has now entered a two-week dormancy period due to the lunar night. Despite not being designed for these harsh conditions, the space agency, JAXA, plans to resume operations in mid-February when the sun’s rays will once again reach SLIM’s solar cells.

JAXA expressed satisfaction with SLIM’s performance, stating that it successfully completed its planned observations and even had the opportunity to study more target areas than initially anticipated using its multiband spectroscopic camera.

On Thursday, the space agency shared a monochrome photograph of the rugged surface captured by the spacecraft. This image adds to the collection of grainy pictures received from the mission, which aims to explore an exposed region of the moon’s mantle, typically located deep beneath its crust.

The successful landing of SLIM, nicknamed the “Moon Sniper” due to its precise landing technology, within the designated landing zone on January 20 was a significant achievement. This triumph brings great pride to Japan’s space program, especially after a series of recent setbacks. Japan now joins the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India as the fifth nation to accomplish a “soft landing” on the moon.

However, the spacecraft encountered engine issues during its descent, resulting in an unintended sideways landing. Consequently, the solar panels faced west instead of their intended upward position.

Various countries, including Russia, China, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, are also actively pursuing lunar exploration endeavors.

Unfortunately, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander, launched in January, experienced fuel leakage after takeoff, leading to the failure of its mission. It is likely that the lander burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere upon its return.

Furthermore, NASA has decided to postpone its plans for crewed lunar missions as part of the Artemis program.

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