Japan has successfully placed the Slim module (SLIM – Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) on the surface of the Moon as part of the Lunar Sniper mission.
Japan became the fifth country in the world to land on the surface of the Moon after USSR, USA, China and India. At the same time, Japan’s previous attempt was unsuccessful: at the end of April 2023, the Japanese private mission Hakuto-R headed to the Moon, but before landing, Earth specialists lost contact with the device.
Landing on the ground
Japan’s space agency Jaxa confirmed that the SLIM lunar module, which made its historic landing on the lunar surface on January 22, buried its nose in the ground upon landing. Previously, Japanese scientists only thought it was reversed, but now they have received visual confirmation.
The first photo of the module shows it tilted 90 degrees from the position it should be in for a perfect landing.
This partly explains the difficulties SLIM has had in generating the electricity needed to operate.
The image was captured by a small, baseball-sized Sora-Q robot ejected from the module moments before it landed to record the event.
The SLIM module itself is turned off (or in professional parlance, put into sleep mode) just three hours after landing to keep the batteries charged.
Jaxa says the mission could still be saved if the lighting angle changes and sunlight starts hitting the power-generating panels.
How this might happen is still unclear.
Judging by the images, the spacecraft is located on a slope, surrounded by small rocks, near the equatorial crater of Scioli.
Perhaps the natural vibrations of the surface will cause it to move and change position.
If this happens, turn the module back on and continue its mission.
＼Finally from 23:00 JST today／
[SLIM Moon landing: live broadcast 🌓]January 19 (Fri) 23:00~ JST
🔗 https://t.co/FTjt0Dm4tk
Please support SLIM as they take on the challenge of high-precision pinpoint landing✨You can send us your messages using the hashtag #SLIMMoonLive 📣 pic.twitter.com/L7i1QWOy4v
— JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (@ISAS_JAXA_EN) January 19, 2024
Details of missions to the moon
A soft landing on the lunar surface is one of the most difficult tasks in space exploration. Only half of all attempts made over time are successful.
Jaxa used new precision navigation technologies for its mission: the module’s on-board computer used fast image processing and crater mapping to avoid hazards when reaching the landing point.
The goal was to place the module within a radius of 100 meters from the intended landing point, and this was achieved. Former NASA employee and editor-in-chief of SpaceWatch Global Emma Gatti called this accuracy “unprecedented” – most spacecraft come within a few kilometers of their intended target.
Source: korrespondent
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.