An Unprecedented Achievement: Unmanned Lunar Spacecraft Analyzes 10 Rocks, Providing Clues to Moon’s Origin
In a groundbreaking development, an unmanned lunar spacecraft has successfully captured and transmitted data analyzing 10 lunar rocks, exceeding all expectations. This remarkable achievement could potentially unlock crucial clues about the origin of the moon, according to a Japan space agency official.
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), Japan’s first lunar mission, has been diligently working to study rock composition and examine lunar rocks using its multi-band spectral camera. Project manager Shinichiro Sakai from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) revealed that SLIM has been actively engaged in this mission for four days since landing on the moon last month.
Although SLIM initially encountered a setback by landing upside down, with its solar panels unable to face the sun, it managed to establish communication with Earth after a brief period of silence. Once reactivated, the spacecraft transmitted a black-and-white photo showcasing the lunar surface, including six rocks. Over time, SLIM successfully obtained data from a total of 10 rocks, each of which has been affectionately named after different dog breeds like “Akitainu,” “Beagle,” and “Shibainu.”
Sakai expressed his optimism about the potential of this rock analysis, stating, “We are hoping that the rock analysis will lead us to the origin of the moon.” By comparing the mineral compositions of moon rocks with those found on Earth, scientists can determine if there are any common elements. This comparison is crucial in supporting the “giant-impact” hypothesis, which suggests that the moon formed as a result of a collision between Earth and another planet, leading to the creation of a smaller mass.
The JAXA team initially anticipated SLIM to study and analyze only one rock. Therefore, the unexpected data from 10 rocks has sparked great excitement and has motivated the team to delve deeper into understanding the moon’s origins. Currently, SLIM is in a state of hibernation during another lunar night, which will last until late February. The survival of the probe and its spectroscope in the severe cold temperatures remains uncertain, as scientists eagerly await the return of sunlight to wake up the spacecraft.
Remarkably, SLIM achieved an incredibly precise landing, coming within 55 meters (60 yards) of its target near the Shioli crater. This landing accuracy surpasses previous moon missions that typically aimed for flat areas at least 10 kilometers (6 miles) wide. Despite encountering a last-minute engine failure that resulted in a harder-than-planned landing, JAXA estimates that SLIM would have landed within meters of its target if not for this setback.
SLIM also carried two autonomous probes that were released just before touchdown. These probes successfully recorded the landing process, surroundings, and other vital lunar data. Although they have since ceased functioning, their mission to document SLIM’s initial work was a resounding success.
With this successful lunar mission, Japan has become the fifth country in the world to reach the moon, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India. This achievement highlights Japan’s growing prowess in space exploration and its commitment to unraveling the mysteries of our celestial neighbor.
As SLIM continues its hibernation, scientists eagerly await the return of sunlight to awaken the spacecraft and resume its mission. The data collected from these 10 rocks holds immense potential in shedding light on the moon’s origin and furthering our understanding of the universe. The groundbreaking discoveries made by SLIM pave the way for future lunar missions and inspire a new era of space exploration.