Japanese Moon Probe Reconnects with JAXA

In a remarkable feat of resilience, Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) has resumed its lunar mission after a hectic landing on January 20th. As it landed upside down, its solar panels were affected badly. However, it is now back in action, capturing and transmitting images of the Moon’s surface. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully reestablished communication with the probe, marking a significant milestone in the mission’s progress.

In response to a last-minute engine failure causing a rough landing, JAXA employed battery power to gather crucial data about the landing and the lunar environment. It then waited for the Sun to rise high in the lunar sky, after which it regained power. Currently, this probe is studying the Moon to understand its origin. Earlier observations suggest that the Moon may have formed when the Earth hit another planet.

JAXA updated a black-and-white photo of the rocky lunar surface captured by the probe. It featured interesting formations like the rock that has been named “Toy Poodle.” The probe is currently analysing six rocks, and each rock has been given a unique name inspired by different dog breeds.

SLIM’s perseverance not only overcame initial setbacks but also solidified Japan’s position as the fifth country to successfully soft-land on the Moon. Joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India, Japan’s SLIM continues to progress in lunar exploration, offering valuable insights into the Moon’s composition and history.