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The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) shared exciting news on Monday (Feb 26) regarding its Moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM). After a two-week lunar night, SLIM was successfully reactivated and back in action.
Initially landing in January at an awkward angle that caused its solar panels to face the wrong direction, SLIM was now ready to continue its mission. During its brief awakening, SLIM utilized its high-quality camera to conduct scientific observations of a crater on the Moon.
The change in the Sun's angle allowed for this opportunity before darkness once again descended on the lunar surface. JAXA confirmed that SLIM was not built to withstand the harsh conditions of the lunar night, hence its return to hibernation.
Despite the challenges faced, SLIM proved to be resilient and capable of carrying out important research on the Moon. The JAXA team remains optimistic about the future potential discoveries that SLIM may uncover as it continues its mission.
English (US)