The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) has unexpectedly survived a freezing lunar night and re-established communication with Earth, more than a month after the spacecraft made a historic "pinpoint" touchdown on the moon.
SLIM touched down on the lunar surface last month, making Japan the fifth country to put a probe on the moon. Shortly after landing within 55 meters (180 feet) 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.
Its solar panels regained electricity more than a week later thanks to a 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.
The unexpected survival of SLIM is a significant achievement for Japan's space program. It demonstrates the country's growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to becoming a major player in the global space race.