In a historic achievement, Japan joined the exclusive club of nations capable of soft-landing spacecraft on the Moon as its Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) touched down on the lunar surface. However, the mission’s success is clouded by significant challenges posed by solar power issues that threaten to curtail Japan’s aspirations for precision lunar exploration.
1. Successful Landing with Precision Technology: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that SLIM landed on the Moon’s surface at approximately 12:20 a.m. GMT on Friday, becoming the fifth country to achieve a soft landing after the United States, the former Soviet Union, China, and India. The mission aimed to demonstrate a “precision” landing technology, attempting to touch down within a remarkable 100 meters of its target, far surpassing conventional accuracy standards.
2. Solar Power Challenges Emerge: Despite the successful landing, SLIM encountered a setback as its solar panels failed to generate electricity, possibly due to incorrect alignment. The craft is currently reliant solely on its battery, providing a limited operational window of “a few hours.” JAXA has prioritized the transfer of crucial data to Earth while hoping for a favorable shift in sunlight angles to restore the panels’ functionality.
3. Optimism Amidst Setback: JAXA officials, led by Hitoshi Kuninaka, head of JAXA’s research center, remain cautiously optimistic. While acknowledging the time-sensitive nature of SLIM’s battery life, they have chosen to maintain the status quo, avoiding risky actions. The hope is that a change in the lunar-solar angle, which takes 30 days, may rejuvenate the solar panels and prolong the mission.
4. SLIM’s Precision Landing and Lunar Exploration Significance: The SLIM mission, aptly dubbed the “Moon Sniper,” aimed to showcase a groundbreaking precision landing technique. With an accuracy goal of 100 meters, this technology holds promise for future lunar exploration, particularly in hilly moon poles identified as potential sources of crucial elements such as oxygen, fuel, and water. JAXA is set to verify the precision landing achievement over the next month.
5. Japan’s Space Ambitions Amidst Challenges: Japan’s successful lunar landing follows a series of setbacks in its space program, including the March launch failure of the flagship H3 rocket. Despite challenges, Japan is actively seeking a prominent role in space, collaborating with the United States and nurturing partnerships with private-sector space startups. The SLIM mission aligns with Japan’s aspirations to contribute to space exploration and reduce launch costs for more frequent missions.
In conclusion, Japan’s SLIM mission, while marking a historic milestone in lunar exploration, faces a critical juncture due to solar power challenges. The outcome of efforts to restore functionality will determine the mission’s overall success and impact on Japan’s space program.