Japanese Aerospace Agency (JAXA) reported, that it was possible to restore communication with the lunar probe SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon), which has been dormant for almost a month.
The probe survived extremely low temperatures on the Moon, about -170°C, and restored electricity generation, when sunlight hit its solar panels again. JAXA confirmed, that sent a command to SLIM and received a response - this indicates that the communication capabilities of the probe are preserved after the moonlit night. However, the connection was quickly interrupted due to the high temperature of the equipment during the midday of the moon. JAXA is preparing to resume operations, when the temperature of the devices will decrease.
A historic achievement
SLIM, known as "moon sniper", landed on the moon 20 January 2025 year with unique accuracy - the deviation from the target was less 100 meters, while traditional devices have an error of several kilometers. This achievement made Japan the fifth country in the world, which successfully landed a probe on the moon.
Challenges and prospects
Due to problems with the generation of electricity by solar panels, the probe, height 2,4 meters and weighs about 200 Kg (without fuel), was disabled 22 January , running on backup batteries. 29 he resumed work in January, but 1 In February, it again went into sleep mode due to lack of sunlight.
Нинішнє відновлення зв’язку підтверджує стійкість зонда та відкриває можливості для подальших досліджень Місяця, зміцнюючи позиції Японії в космічній галузі.
Source: https://www.citynewsservice.cn