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SLIM spacecraft perseveres through challenges
The SLIM spacecraft, Japan’s inaugural successful moon lander, has proven its resilience once again by surviving the harsh lunar night for the second time. The mission team shared this encouraging update via X on Wednesday, accompanied by a freshly captured image from the lander’s navigation camera.
Japan’s SLIM moon lander accomplishments
Launched in September and gracefully touched down on the lunar surface on Jan. 19, SLIM has solidified Japan’s position as the fifth country in history to achieve a soft lunar landing, joining the ranks of the Soviet Union, the United States, China, and India. Despite landing on its nose, a less-than-ideal orientation for solar power absorption, the 440-pound probe managed to reactivate itself on Jan. 28 after falling silent post-landing.
Recognizing that the extremities of the lunar night, with temperatures plummeting to around minus 208 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 130 degrees Celsius), posed a significant challenge, the mission team strategically put SLIM into hibernation. Surpassing initial expectations, the spacecraft defied the odds and revived itself, marking a significant milestone in its already successful mission.
SLIM’s ongoing challenges and accomplishments
Despite facing deteriorating conditions, SLIM has impressively maintained most of its functionality, despite some temperature sensors and unused battery cells beginning to falter. The mission team’s dedication and expertise have played a crucial role in ensuring the continued success of the spacecraft, a testament to Japan’s prowess in space exploration.
Following SLIM’s pioneering touchdown was the arrival of Odysseus, a private spacecraft developed and operated by Intuitive Machines. Odysseus made history by accomplishing the first lunar landing by a private entity and the first American vehicle to achieve this feat since Apollo 17 in 1972. Despite operating for a week on the lunar surface, Odysseus, unfortunately, fell silent ahead of its scheduled lunar night, signaling the end of its mission.
As SLIM and Odysseus navigate the challenges of lunar exploration, their perseverance and accomplishments serve as inspiration for future space missions, highlighting the remarkable advancements in space technology and the unwavering dedication of the teams behind these groundbreaking endeavors.
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