2024-01-26 15:10:00
When the Japanese probe “SLIM” landed on the moon a few days ago, it landed a little twisted. It is assumed that the spacecraft ultimately assumed “an almost vertical position with the main engine upwards,” said the state space agency Jaxa in an English report on the landing maneuver. The agency relied on data from the probe. The front part therefore points downwards.
The unusual situation was visible in images released by the agency taken by cameras on a small, spherical lunar rover following landing. Before landing, the exploration vehicle separated from the probe together with a second lunar rover that was to be used for measurements.
“SLIM” landed on the lunar surface on January 20th, Japan time. However, the solar panels on the probe no longer provided electricity following landing. The lander was then switched off. Before the shutdown, a camera on board “SLIM” was still able to take pictures of the lunar surface. According to JAXA, one of the two main engines failed due to irregularities during the landing approach.
On Thursday, the agency expressed satisfaction with the project despite the problems with the energy supply, as a landing was achieved very close to the intended target. After the former Soviet Union, the USA, China and India, Japan is the fifth country to achieve a soft landing on Earth’s satellite.
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