Japan‘s latest space venture, the “moon sniper” lander, named SLIM, has hit a snag right after its historic landing on the Moon. The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, as it’s officially known, is now in a race against time due to a technical glitch with its solar cells.

The spacecraft was aiming for a precision landing at the Shioli Crater edge

Launched in September 2023, SLIM’s main goal was a precision landing like no other – to hit a target within 100 meters on the lunar surface. This spot, at the edge of the Shioli crater, was not chosen at random. Scientists believe it might hold keys to understanding the Moon’s origins, possibly containing ancient matter from deep within the Moon’s mantle.

Japan Lunar Lander

But space exploration is full of unexpected challenges. As SLIM descended towards its target, something went amiss. Although it managed to deploy two rovers, its solar cells, vital for powering the spacecraft, encountered an issue. This has left the SLIM lander with limited battery life – a few hours at most.

This situation puts pressure on the Japanese space agency, JAXA, to gather as much data as possible before the power runs out. There’s hope, though. The lander might revive after the lunar night, thanks to a change in sunlight angle recharging its batteries.

Meanwhile, the two rovers on the lunar surface, equipped with their own communication systems, might continue the mission. This setback, however, doesn’t overshadow Japan’s achievement. SLIM’s landing places Japan among a handful of nations to have achieved a soft landing on the Moon – a club that includes former Soviet Union, the USA, China, and India.

Despite the current predicament, SLIM’s journey represents a significant stride in space exploration, reflecting the relentless pursuit of knowledge and the inherent challenges of venturing into the unknown. As JAXA works to solve this hiccup, the world watches, hoping for a successful continuation of this ambitious lunar mission.

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