On January 19, 2024, the Smart Lunar Research Lander (SLIM) arrived on the Moon with the mission of testing landing technology and collecting geological data. Despite facing challenges like landing upside down and the inability to collect solar energy due to its position, SLIM managed to continue operating and send signals back to Earth after surviving its third night on the Moon.
The spacecraft’s unexpected resilience in surviving the extreme conditions on the Moon has sparked further interest in lunar exploration and technology advancements. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) shared the status of SLIM on April 23 after receiving a new photo of the lunar surface from the lander. Despite initial predictions that extreme temperature drops during the night would cause SLIM to stop working, it continued to function after each cycle.
Independent researchers like Chandra Tungathurthi in India have been using orbiters like Chandrayaan-2 to examine SLIM and share their findings with the public. JAXA plans to closely monitor SLIM’s status and address any potential problems that may arise while continuing their mission of testing landing technology and collecting geological data. The success of SLIM has exceeded expectations in terms of spacecraft design, demonstrating that we can continue exploring beyond our planet despite harsh conditions.
