Japanese Lander Lands on Moon but Solar Cell Fails to Function

Japan has become the fifth nation to execute a soft landing on the lunar surface.

The Japanese space administration’s lander, Slim, has successfully landed on the moon, as confirmed by Jaxa. The following steps include establishing contact with the lander and ensuring it communicates effectively with the ground.

Despite the solar cell of the lander not producing electricity, forcing it to operate on battery power alone, the other components of the lander are functioning as expected, a Jaxa spokesperson explained at a press conference.

Japan joins the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India in achieving this feat.

Japan’s previous attempt in April resulted in failure when the M1 lander crashed into the moon’s surface.

Slim lander has been engineered to land with unparalleled precision within a 100-meter diameter area, while usually probes can only land with an accuracy of a few kilometers.

Experts believe a successful landing signifies a significant advancement in spaceflight.

Emily Brunsden, an astrophysics professor at the University of York, told the news agency AFP that such precision in landing is a major leap in technology and paves the way for more precise research targets for future flights.

The successful landing serves as a significant boost for Japan’s space sector, known for its high technology, especially after recent failures.

The lander carries a mini ATV, only slightly larger than a tennis ball and weighing as much as a large potato.

Slim plans to reach a lunar crater believed to be an entrance to the moon’s mantle. The goal is to collect rock samples that might provide insights into the moon’s potential water resources, which is crucial for future plans of building permanent bases on the moon.

Japan’s lunar program echoes the renewed global interest in the moon, half a century after the last manned mission. The United States also plans to send humans to the moon in the coming years, although NASA recently delayed the next flights of its Artemis program due to technical challenges.