The SLIM lander, or Smart Lunar Research Lander, has defied all expectations by surviving its third night on the Moon. This is despite not being designed to withstand the freezing temperatures that can drop as low as -170 degrees Celsius during the lunar night. On April 23, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that the lander was still operational and accompanied by a new photo of the lunar surface taken by the lander.
The SLIM spacecraft landed on the Moon on January 19, 2024, with the purpose of testing landing technology and collecting geological data. However, just 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 and a second lunar night in February 29. The operations team had anticipated that the drastic temperature drop from 100 degrees Celsius to -170 degrees Celsius would render the lander inoperable. However, much to their surprise, SLIM remained functional after each night.
The unexpected resilience of the spacecraft has prompted JAXA to continue monitoring its status closely for any potential issues arising from extreme day and night environments on the Moon.
Researchers and space enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting further updates on SLIM’s mission and discoveries on the lunar surface. As one of Japan’s most advanced space missions, SLIM has already made significant contributions to our understanding of landing technology and geology on other planets in our solar system.