2024-03-02 07:36:00
The Japanese SLIM probe, which has been on the surface of the moon since the end of January, has once once more been placed in a dormant state awaiting its reactivation during this month, according to what the Japanese space agency JAXA reported today.
The agency reported, via the “X” platform, that “(Salim) was once more placed in a state of hibernation following sunset at three in the morning on March 1,” that is, six in the evening GMT on February 29.
The probe was reactivated on February 26 following it succeeded in passing the lunar night, which lasted for two weeks.
The agency added: “Although the risk of failure increases due to large temperature changes, we will try to reactivate Slim when the light returns” during the month of March.
On January 20, “Slim” (which are the first English letters of the phrase “smart lander for exploring the moon”) succeeded in landing at a distance of 55 meters from its designated target, making Japan the fifth country to succeed in placing its vehicle on the surface of the moon, following the United States. United States, the former Soviet Union, China and India.
But a problem with the engine in the last few tens of meters before landing led to Slim settling on the moon’s surface at a curved angle, so its west-facing photovoltaic panels were not receiving sunlight.
“Salim” landed in a small hole less than 300 meters in diameter, called Shiuli, and was able to launch the two miniature vehicles he was carrying. These two vehicles are supposed to conduct analyzes of rocks coming from the internal structure of the moon known as the lunar mantle, regarding which not much data is yet available.
On Thursday, another probe, “Odysseus,” manufactured by the American company “Intuitive Machines,” landed on the moon. It was placed in a dormant state, while those responsible for it hope to reactivate it with the end of the lunar night.
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