On April 23, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) made an announcement that defied expectations. The SLIM lander, designed to test landing technology and collect geological data on the Moon, had survived its third night on the lunar surface despite not being designed for such extreme temperatures. The freezing temperatures on the Moon can drop as low as -170 degrees Celsius during the night.
The SLIM spacecraft landed on the Moon on January 19, 2024. However, it was discovered shortly after landing that it had landed upside down, preventing its solar panels from facing the Sun for energy collection. Despite this setback, SLIM managed to survive its first two lunar nights from January 31 to February 15 and then a second lunar night from February 29.
The operations team anticipated that the drastic temperature drop from 100 degrees Celsius to -170 degrees Celsius would render the lander inoperable. However, to their surprise, SLIM remained functional after each night, including its third lunar night in mid-April. The unexpected resilience of the spacecraft has prompted JAXA to continue monitoring its status closely for any potential issues arising from the extreme day and night environments on the Moon.
Researchers and space enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for further updates on SLIM’s mission and discoveries on the lunar surface. The success of this mission is a significant achievement for Japan’s space program and could pave the way for future manned missions to explore other planets in our solar system.
In conclusion, SLIM’s unexpected endurance and ongoing functionality have defied experts’ expectations by surviving three nights on the moon without being designed to withstand such extreme temperatures. This mission has opened up new possibilities in exploring other planets in our solar system and could pave the way for future manned missions beyond Earth’s orbit.