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Japan’s moon lander has come back to life, enabling it to proceed with its lunar surface investigation mission. Despite its rocky start, the space agency announced the successful revival on Monday.
Keywords: Japan, Moon Lander
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Japan Moon Lander: A Resurrected Mission to Explore Lunar Surface
After a rocky start, Japan’s moon lander, Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has been revived, bringing a sigh of relief to the Japanese space agency (JAXA). This remarkable development allows the lander to resume its mission of exploring the lunar surface, despite the initial challenges it faced.
Japan Moon Lander: A Surprising Turn of Events
On January 20, 2024, SLIM made history by becoming Japan’s first successful soft landing on the moon, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India. However, during its descent, known as the “20 minutes of terror,” the lander experienced engine problems, resulting in a skewed landing angle. This awkward position meant that its solar panels were facing west instead of up, raising concerns about sufficient sunlight for functioning.
Japan Moon Lander: Waking Up from Slumber
Last week, JAXA made the difficult decision to power off SLIM with only 12% battery power remaining, hoping for a miraculous resurrection this week. Their prayers were answered on Monday, January 29, 2024, when the lander sprang back to life, presumably due to renewed power generation from its solar battery.
Japan Moon Lander: Prioritizing Science over Adjustments
Despite the unexpected angle, JAXA has decided to focus on scientific observations and data collection rather than attempting to adjust SLIM’s position. This cautious approach aims to avoid further complications and make the most of the remaining daylight period.
Japan Moon Lander: Exploring the Lunar Mantle
SLIM’s primary mission is to investigate an exposed section of the moon’s mantle, a layer usually hidden deep beneath the crust. This unique opportunity will provide valuable insights into the moon’s geological history and composition.
Japan Moon Lander: Additional Features
SLIM also deployed two probes: one equipped with a transmitter and another designed to traverse the lunar surface and transmit images back to Earth. This mini-rover, developed in collaboration with the creators of Transformer toys, adds an exciting element to the mission.
Japan Moon Lander: International Competition
Japan’s moon lander joins a growing list of countries and private companies vying to reach the moon. Russia, China, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are among those aiming for lunar exploration.
Japan Moon Lander: Wrapping Up
The revival of Japan’s moon lander is a testament to the resilience and dedication of the JAXA team. Despite initial setbacks, they have managed to bring SLIM back online, allowing it to fulfill its scientific objectives. The mission’s success is a significant milestone for Japan’s space program and contributes to the global exploration of our lunar neighbor..
FAQ’s
1. What is the name of Japan’s moon lander?
The name of Japan’s moon lander is Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
2. What was the initial challenge faced by SLIM during its landing?
During its landing, SLIM experienced engine problems, resulting in a skewed landing angle, which affected its solar panel orientation and raised concerns about sufficient sunlight for functioning.
3. How did SLIM regain power and resume its mission?
After being powered off with only 12% battery power remaining, SLIM sprang back to life on January 29, 2024, presumably due to renewed power generation from its solar battery.
4. What is SLIM’s primary scientific objective?
SLIM’s primary scientific objective is to investigate an exposed section of the moon’s mantle, a layer usually hidden deep beneath the crust, to gain insights into the moon’s geological history and composition.
5. What other features does SLIM have?
SLIM deployed two probes: one equipped with a transmitter and another designed to traverse the lunar surface and transmit images back to Earth. This mini-rover, developed in collaboration with the creators of Transformer toys, adds an exciting element to the mission.
Links to additional Resources:
1. https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/omotenashi/ 2. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/moon-to-mars 3. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63358592.Related Wikipedia Articles
Topics: Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), Japan (country), Lunar SurfaceSmart Lander for Investigating Moon
Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is a lunar lander mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The lander's initial launch date in 2021 was postponed until 2023 due to delays in its rideshare, the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM). On 6 September 2023 at 23:42 UTC, XRISM...
Read more: Smart Lander for Investigating Moon
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland. It is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea in the south....
Read more: Japan
Geology of the Moon
The geology of the Moon (sometimes called selenology, although the latter term can refer more generally to "lunar science") is quite different from that of Earth. The Moon lacks a true atmosphere, and the absence of free oxygen and water eliminates erosion due to weather. Instead, the surface is eroded...
Read more: Geology of the Moon
