Japan's space agency, JAXA, announced that their lunar probe, SLIM, has withstood the challenges of the moon's harsh environment during its third lunar night. The device, officially known as Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has been sending back crucial data and images after landing on the moon on January 20, marking Japan as the fifth country to achieve a successful moon landing.
Despite the initial setback of landing upside down and being unable to access sunlight for power, SLIM managed to power up when the sun rose eight days later, demonstrating resilience in the face of unexpected challenges. While SLIM was not initially designed to survive the extreme temperature shifts during lunar nights, it has proven to be robust, with its key functions still operational despite the harsh conditions on the moon's surface.
JAXA conveyed that they will continue to monitor SLIM closely to track any signs of deterioration, emphasizing the importance of the data being collected for scientific research. The mission aims to gather geological data and images to help scientists gain insights into the moon's origins by comparing mineral compositions of moon rocks with those found on Earth. This exploration effort aligns with broader scientific endeavors to deepen our understanding of the solar system and our place within it.