Japan’s SLIM Moon Lander Powers Down After Successful Mission, Capturing Final Images and Data
Japan’s SLIM moon lander has completed its mission, capturing valuable images and data before powering down for the lunar nighttime. Despite facing engine troubles during its landing, SLIM successfully touched down on the rim of Shioli crater on January 19. The spacecraft’s solar cells faced westward, limiting its access to sunlight and shortening its operations on the lunar surface. However, after nearly 10 days, SLIM reawakened as the sun finally illuminated its panels.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which operates SLIM, has been utilizing the spacecraft’s Multi-Band Camera (MBC) to study the composition of the lunar surface. By analyzing the light signatures of reflected sunlight, MBC can identify minerals such as olivine. JAXA’s SLIM account on X shared a final image taken by SLIM’s navigation camera on January 31, confirming that the spacecraft had entered a dormant state as expected.
Now, JAXA must wait out the lunar nighttime, which lasts approximately 14.5 Earth days, before SLIM can potentially be revived. The agency is hoping for favorable lighting and temperature conditions during the next lunar daytime, which begins around February 15. However, SLIM’s electronics must withstand the extreme equatorial lunar nighttime temperatures of around minus 208 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 130 degrees Celsius) for it to awaken again.
Regardless of whether SLIM wakes up, it has already achieved its full and extended mission goals. The spacecraft successfully executed a precision landing and deployed two small rovers, demonstrating their interoperability. Additionally, SLIM has gathered a wealth of scientific data that will contribute to solving the mystery of the moon’s origin.
SLIM’s X account also shared labeled images of targets captured by MBC’s spectroscopic imaging. These images showcase the rocks and regolith that are currently under study. JAXA is now analyzing the large amount of data obtained to identify rocks and estimate the chemical composition of minerals. The agency plans to announce scientific results as soon as they are obtained.
The success of SLIM’s mission marks a significant milestone for Japan’s space exploration efforts. Despite initial engine troubles and limited operational time on the lunar surface, SLIM has proven its capabilities and contributed valuable data to our understanding of the moon. As we eagerly await the results of JAXA’s analysis, the scientific community anticipates new insights into the moon’s composition and origin.