Japan's Moonlander Comes Back to Life

What is ‘SLIM’?

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is a lunar lander mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). It landed on the moon on January 20. Japan became the fifth country to do this after the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India.

The lander landed really close to where it was supposed to, just 55 meters away. This is better than most landings.

SLIM recently resumed exploration of the moon’s surface after nine days of its landing.

What had happened to Japan’s Moonlander ‘SLIM’?

SLIM had lost power and gone silent earlier. JAXA said it landed facing the wrong way, and one of its engines didn't work during landing. Also, its solar batteries had trouble generating power.

JAXA officials explained that the lander couldn't recharge because it might have fallen over, blocking the sunlight. They turned off the Lunar Explorer to save its battery. They said it would start again by itself when the solar panel received sunlight.

The lander's solar panels were at an angle that didn't get enough sunlight efficiently. That's why it took nine days for the lander to get power again. JAXA reestablished communication for moon exploration late on Sunday.

What is next for the SLIM Moonlander?

The spacecraft will gather clues about the moon's origin, studying the moon's surface with a special camera.

Japan plans to use the lander to collect information about a part of the moon called the Sea of Nectar.