Japan's SLIM Moon lander has defied expectations by surviving two lunar nights, a remarkable achievement considering its challenging landing position. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed this feat on Thursday, highlighting the resilience of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
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SLIM embarked on its mission in September last year and touched down on the Moon on January 19. Despite facing difficulties, such as landing on its nose and limited sunlight for its solar panels, SLIM managed to stay operational. This success makes Japan the fifth country in the world to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, following the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India.
The journey wasn't without its hurdles. Shortly after landing, SLIM went dark due to its unfavorable position. However, it came back to life on January 28 and continued to gather valuable science data. Ahead of its first lunar winter, JAXA teams prepared the lander for hibernation, expecting its instruments to succumb to the harsh conditions.
Despite these challenges, SLIM exceeded expectations by surviving not one, but two lunar nights. While some temperature sensors and battery cells showed signs of malfunction, the majority of its functions remained intact, showcasing its remarkable durability.
JAXA's announcement on X, formerly Twitter, confirmed the lander's resilience and marked another milestone in Japan's space exploration journey.
