Tiny Robots Take Giant Leaps on the Moon
Two miniature robots, aptly named LEV-1 and LEV-2, have made history by demonstrating a range of innovative technologies during the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) recent lunar landing. Their accomplishments mark significant milestones in space exploration.
One of their key achievements was documenting the historic landing of JAXA's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) probe. This feat made Japan the fifth nation to successfully land an unmanned spacecraft on the moon. The photo captured by the tiny LEV-2, measuring only 8 centimeters in diameter, confirmed SLIM's touchdown on January 20th, albeit in an upside-down position.
These two small robots were deployed onto the lunar surface as SLIM neared a point 5 meters above. LEV-2, weighing a mere 250 grams and resembling a baseball in size, transformed upon landing to commence its mission. Its center portion opened, capturing multiple images of the surrounding lunar landscape.
This data was then relayed to its robotic partner, LEV-1, which received the images via radio waves and subsequently transmitted them back to Earth, covering a staggering distance of 380,000 kilometers. These photos provided definitive proof of SLIM's successful lunar landing.
However, communication issues resulted in partial data loss, much to the disappointment of the JAXA team. "Even more clear images should have been delivered," lamented Daichi Hirano, a chief research and development engineer at JAXA.
Beyond its communication role, LEV-1 was equipped with a unique mobility system. Its 2-kilogram body, roughly the size of a basketball, incorporated a spring system that enabled the robot to hop across the lunar surface. This innovative technology propelled LEV-1 to make six successful leaps, marking the first time a robot has traversed the surface of a celestial body with the aid of a hopping mechanism.
This technology holds promise for future lunar exploration, offering a novel method for probes to navigate challenging terrain, such as large rocks.
The robotic explorers achieved several other notable accomplishments during this mission. LEV-2 became the smallest and lightest machine to operate on the moon. Additionally, LEV-1 and LEV-2 engaged in the first-ever simultaneous and autonomous exploration of the lunar surface, communicating directly with each other without assistance from Earth.
Both robots have now exhausted their batteries, concluding their historic missions. Data collected from their endeavors is currently being analyzed, with the aim of leveraging their findings for future space exploration initiatives.
The success of these miniature robots is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the engineers and scientists involved. Their contributions pave the way for further advancements in space exploration, bringing us closer to unlocking the secrets of the cosmos.