Japan’s lunar probe, Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has survived its third freezing lunar night, providing a significant milestone for the country’s space exploration program. The lander successfully responded to a signal from Earth on Tuesday night, confirming its continued operation despite the harsh conditions on the lunar surface. SLIM is not designed to withstand lunar nights, during which temperatures can plunge to minus 170 degrees Celsius (minus 274 degrees Fahrenheit). However, the probe has demonstrated resilience by continuing to function despite the extreme temperature fluctuations.
SLIM is equipped with a range of instruments to study the lunar surface, including a camera and a spectrometer. The lander has already returned valuable images and data, providing insights into the mineral composition of the moon and offering clues about its origin. The continued operation of SLIM will provide even more data for scientists to analyze, further enhancing our understanding of the moon.
Japan’s success in operating SLIM on the lunar surface is a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in space exploration. The probe’s continued operation marks a significant step forward in Japan’s lunar exploration program and contributes to the global scientific understanding of the moon.
