Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced that the SLIM lander, or Smart Lunar Research Lander, has successfully survived its third night on the Moon. The spacecraft defied experts’ expectations by remaining operational despite not being designed to withstand the freezing temperatures that plummet as low as -170 degrees Celsius during the lunar night.
The SLIM spacecraft initially landed on the Moon on January 19, 2024, with the purpose of testing landing technology and collecting geological data. However, shortly after landing, it was discovered that the craft had landed upside down, preventing its solar panels from facing the Sun for energy collection.
Despite this setback, SLIM managed to survive its first lunar night from January 31 to February 15, followed by 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 awaiting further updates on SLIM’s mission and discoveries on the lunar surface.