Japan Moon Lander Probe Woke Up After Second Lunar Night

Space News ,Japan :-  Japan's unmanned moon lander, known as SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon), has awakened from its second lunar night, showcasing resilience amidst extreme conditions on the moon's surface. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced this development, highlighting the successful completion of SLIM's overnight activities.

During this period, SLIM captured images of the lunar landscape using its navigational camera, despite facing challenges due to its wonky angle upon touchdown in January. Initially, the lander's solar panels were misaligned, hindering its ability to harness sunlight efficiently. Despite these obstacles, JAXA managed to power down SLIM with a remaining 12% battery, keeping the possibility of reactivation open.

Following a brief hiatus, SLIM resumed operations in late January, utilizing its high-spec camera to conduct scientific observations of a crater. However, the harsh lunar nights, characterized by temperatures plummeting to minus 133 degrees Celsius, posed significant challenges for the spacecraft's functionality.

Nevertheless, JAXA engineers successfully revived SLIM in late February after its first lunar night, marking a significant milestone in the mission. Referred to as the "Moon Sniper" for its precision landing technology, SLIM aims to explore a segment of the moon's mantle, an area typically concealed beneath its surface.

This achievement contrasts with the recent setback experienced by Odysseus, an unmanned American lander, which failed to awaken despite projections of adequate sunlight exposure to activate its radio. Odysseus, hailed as the first private spacecraft to land successfully on the moon, encountered difficulties in reactivation, highlighting the complexities of lunar exploration.

SLIM's resilience and successful navigation through lunar nights underscore Japan's advancement in space exploration, paving the way for further discoveries and advancements in our understanding of the moon's composition and geology.