Japan’s SLIM spacecraft has defied the odds by surviving its second lunar night after a rough landing on the Moon. The spacecraft, launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), had faced setbacks since its landing but has now successfully been revived.
SLIM relies on solar power to function and had to power down during the lunar night due to the lack of sunlight. However, JAXA controllers were able to wake up the spacecraft for data collection after the night, showing that it was still operational.
While some temperature sensors and battery cells have been found to be malfunctioning, overall functions of SLIM have been maintained. This comes as a stark contrast to the American spacecraft Odysseus, which was declared dead after its own lunar landing.
The successful survival of SLIM on the Moon is a remarkable achievement in the face of challenges faced by lunar landers. JAXA’s ability to revive the spacecraft after a period of radio silence showcases the agency’s expertise and dedication to space exploration.
As SLIM continues to collect data and navigate the lunar terrain, scientists and engineers will be closely monitoring its progress. The spacecraft’s resilience in the harsh lunar environment is a testament to the advancements being made in space exploration.
