Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) has achieved a pinpoint touchdown on the lunar surface, making Japan the fifth nation in the world to accomplish a soft lunar landing (via Nikkei Asia).
However, the success comes with an unexpected twist - SLIM has landed upside down.
Japan Successfully Executes Lunar Precision Landing
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed the successful landing, revealing that SLIM touched down just 55 meters east of the designated spot at 12:20 a.m. on Saturday.
This achievement puts Japan in an elite group, following the footsteps of the Soviet Union, the United States, China, and India. The goal was to land within 100 meters of the target, a world-first precision in lunar exploration.
The image was captured by a ball-shaped robot known as LEV-2 ("Lunar Exploration Vehicle-2"), one of two tiny rovers sent to the moon aboard SLIM.
The image released by JAXA, showing SLIM resting upside down on the moon's surface, raises intriguing questions. "We don't know how SLIM ended up resting in such a posture," admitted Shinichiro Sakai, the project manager.
Despite the unexpected landing position, SLIM managed to avoid tumbling down the slope of a crater, a stroke of luck that prevented the craft from lying on its solar cells, crucial for power generation.
Landing Issues
The challenges did not end with the landing. Just before touching down, SLIM experienced a sudden loss of half its thrust.
Investigation revealed that one of the two main engine nozzles had fallen off, affecting the craft's balance. Originally designed to land at a slight tilt, SLIM ended up upside-down with its solar cells facing west, limiting its ability to generate power until the sun shines from that direction.
Sakai was shocked at the situation, stating, "Thank God, it managed to hold its own in that posture." Despite the unconventional landing, SLIM transmitted images during its on-board battery operation, capturing 257 images of the lunar surface.
Notably, some images reveal objects believed to be olivine stone, offering insights into the moon's geological composition.
The communication between SLIM and mission control remained successful during the battery operation, allowing the team to safeguard equipment and data before switching the craft off. However, concerns linger about SLIM's stability in its current posture and the chances of its revival once the sun shines from the west.
Japan's Revived Space Industry
The achievement of a "pinpoint" lunar landing is a testament to Japan's technological prowess and a strategic move to revitalize the nation's space program. Partnering with the United States to counter China, Japan aims to play a more significant role in space exploration.
While SLIM's landing is groundbreaking, Japan has faced setbacks in its rocket development, including the failure of the H3 rocket. The success of SLIM, despite its challenges, adds to Japan's lunar exploration credentials.
Japan's SLIM stands out as a "moon sniper," showcasing advanced "vision-based" navigation that could shape the future of exploration, especially in hilly moon poles.
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