The Japanese probe “SLIM” that landed on the moon went into operation after days of power failure. As the Japanese space agency Jaxa announced, the solar panels are now apparently producing electricity. “SLIM” (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) landed on the lunar surface on January 20, Japan time. However, the solar panels of the device, which was only 2.4 meters high, no longer provided any electricity after landing because they were facing west and thus away from the sun. The probe initially ran on battery power before being switched off.
“Communication with SLIM was successfully established last night and operations have resumed!” Jaxa said on the X (formerly Twitter) platform. The probe is now also exploring the lunar surface and has successfully sent photos of boulders to Earth, including one called “Toypoodle”, it said. Jaxa assumes that despite their awkward orientation, the solar panels can produce electricity as soon as sunlight hits them from the western side of the moon.
Japan is the fifth country on the moon
After the former Soviet Union, the USA, China and India, Japan is the fifth country to achieve a soft landing on Earth’s satellite. “SLIM” set off for the moon on board an H2A carrier rocket from the Japanese Tanegashima spaceport in September. Jaxa was satisfied with the project despite the initial problems with the energy supply. Because the moon landing achieved an unprecedented accuracy of less than ten meters. It was said that “SLIM” may have only landed about three to four meters from its destination.
“SLIM” landed as planned near Shioli Crater in a low-lying area known as the “Nectar Sea.” Japan’s space agency hopes that the successful precision landing of “SLIM” will usher in the transition from an era of “land where we can” to an era of “land where we want.”
The data obtained will be used in the planning of future lunar missions, for example as part of the US-led “Artemis” program. NASA wants to bring people to the moon again after more than 50 years – although the lunar landing mission “Artemis 3” was recently postponed to September 2026.
