Japan’s SLIM moon probe unexpectedly survives lunar night

The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), is seen in this handout image taken by LEV-2 on the moon, released on January 25, 2024. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), TAKARA TOMY, Sony Group, Doshisha University /via REUTERS/File Photo

TOKYO — Japan’s space agency said on Monday its SLIM moon lander has unexpectedly survived a freezing lunar night and re-established communication with the earth, more than a month after the spacecraft made a historic “pinpoint” touchdown on the moon.

The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) touched down on the lunar surface last month, making Japan the fifth country to put a probe on the moon. U.S.-based Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus followed suit last week, as countries and businesses race for the moon in search of resources and human habitability.

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Shortly after landing within 55 m (180 ft) of its target just south of the moon’s equator, SLIM ran out of power because it had tipped over and its solar panels were at the wrong angle.

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Its solar panels regained electricity more than a week later thanks to change in the sunlight’s direction. The operator Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency had previously said the probe was not designed to survive a lunar night.