Japan’s Moon Lander Faces Power Struggle After Landing
In a thrilling attempt to explore the lunar surface, Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) made history by becoming the fifth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon. However, the mission took an unexpected turn when the lander encountered a power struggle just three hours after touchdown.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) faced a daunting challenge as they tried to get the spacecraft’s batteries charged using its solar panels. The issue arose when it was discovered that the panels were pointing west, away from the Sun. This setback threatened to end the mission prematurely, leaving the lander powerless on the Moon’s surface.
Despite this setback, JAXA remains determined and hopeful. They believe that if sunlight hits the Moon from the west in the future, there is a possibility of power generation. Therefore, they are actively preparing for restoration, holding onto the hope that SLIM may jump back to life and continue its mission.
Initially, everything seemed to be going according to plan as the spacecraft made a controlled descent onto the Moon’s cratered surface. However, several hours of radio silence from JAXA raised concerns about the lander’s fate. Behind the scenes, teams were working tirelessly to address the dwindling battery capacity.
To prevent any hindrance in restarting the lander, JAXA disconnected the battery when it had only 12 percent power remaining. This decision was made to avoid a situation where a restart would be impossible. Despite this setback, scientists are optimistic as SLIM managed to transmit technical and image data acquired during its descent and time on the lunar surface before going dark.
The data collected by SLIM holds immense value for scientists, and they are eagerly analyzing it. Although the lander’s fate hangs in the balance, the possibility of the Sun charging its solar panels remains a glimmer of hope. Scientists eagerly anticipate SLIM’s revival, ready to witness its potential in action.
Even if the lander does not come back to life, this mission is still a remarkable achievement that deserves celebration. The fact that Japan successfully landed a spacecraft on the Moon, despite the numerous failed attempts that preceded it, is a testament to the country’s dedication and expertise in space exploration.
JAXA acknowledges that the post-landing posture did not go as planned. However, they remain positive and believe that they will still be able to produce significant results from the mission. The agency expresses their happiness and relief at the successful landing, emphasizing the importance of this milestone.
While the power struggle faced by Japan’s Moon Lander may have temporarily halted its progress, the determination of JAXA and the potential for a revival offer hope for the future. Whether SLIM jumps back to life or not, this mission has already made a lasting impact on the history of space exploration.
