<p>After a brief time awake, Japan's Moon lander, the unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has once again fallen asleep. On Thursday, the Japanese space agency on X, formerly Twitter, revealed that the lander is out of action but will resume its mission if it survives the two-week lunar night.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What's up with SLIM?</strong></h2>

<p>In a post on X, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said, "After completing operation from 1/30 (to) 1/31, #SLIM entered a two-week dormancy period during the long lunar night."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/lunar-resilience-japans-slim-bounces-back-captures-images-of-toy-poodle-rock-on-the-moons-surface-684647">Lunar resilience: Japan's SLIM bounces back, captures images of 'toy poodle' rock on Moon's surface</a></strong></p>

<p>The moon lander went dormant after capturing an amazing black-and-white picture of the rocky lunar surface.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Last night (1/31 ~ 2/1) we sent a command to switch on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLIM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLIM</a>’s communicator again just in case, but with no response, we confirmed SLIM had entered a dormant state. This is the last scene of the Moon taken by SLIM before dusk. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoodAfterMoon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoodAfterMoon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JAXA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JAXA</a> <a href="https://t.co/V1iAUoxJFK">pic.twitter.com/V1iAUoxJFK</a></p>
— 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SLIM_JAXA/status/1752958572781330741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Although SLIM was not designed for the harsh lunar nights, we plan to try to operate again from mid-February, when the Sun will shine again on SLIM's solar cells," it added in another post.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After completing operation from 1/30 ~ 1/31, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLIM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLIM</a> entered a two week dormancy period during the long lunar night 🌚. Although SLIM was not designed for the harsh lunar nights, we plan to try to operate again from mid-February, when the Sun will shine again on SLIM’s solar cells. <a href="https://t.co/JO4ZgDaOxo">pic.twitter.com/JO4ZgDaOxo</a></p>
— 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SLIM_JAXA/status/1752958274767602063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>JAXA, as per space.com,&nbsp;will have to wait out a roughly 14.5 Earth-days-long lunar night—facing harsh temperatures of around minus 208 degrees Fahrenheit&nbsp;(minus 130 degrees Celsius). It can potentially revive because of the favourable lighting and temperature conditions during the lunar daytime (estimated to start around Feb 15).</p>

<h2><strong>Previous troubles</strong></h2>

<p>On January 20, Japan achieved a soft lunar landing, making it only the fifth nation to accomplish this feat, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lander demonstrated remarkable precision, landing within 100 metres of its target and only 55 metres away.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-probe-enters-lunar-orbit-what-happens-now-674131" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-probe-enters-lunar-orbit-what-happens-now-674131&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQtOfK5YuEAxWjqFYBHVSzDhcQFnoECAMQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3JbEwqrpUfclheQmbZOMUx" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-probe-enters-lunar-orbit-what-happens-now-674131" target="_blank">Japan's probe enters lunar orbit, what happens now?&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>Despite the feat, challenges faced by SLIM led to the decision to temporarily switch it off. Landing at a wonky angle left its solar panels facing the wrong way, and merely three hours after landing SLIM had to be switched off.</p>

<p>SLIM, as per JAXA, deployed two probes successfully – one equipped with a transmitter and another designed to traverse the lunar surface, capturing images to beam back to Earth. The mini-rover, slightly larger than a tennis ball, has been co-developed by the creators of Transformer Toys.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


After a brief time awake, Japan's Moon lander, the unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has once again fallen asleep. On Thursday, the Japanese space agency on X, formerly Twitter, revealed that the lander is out of action but will resume its mission if it survives the two-week lunar night.

After a brief time awake, Japan's Moon lander, the unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has once again fallen asleep. On Thursday, the Japanese space agency on X, formerly Twitter, revealed that the lander is out of action but will resume its mission if it survives the two-week lunar night. What's up with SLIM? In a post on X, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said, "After completing operation from 1/30 (to) 1/31, #SLIM entered a two-week dormancy period during the long lunar night." Also read | Lunar resilience: Japan's SLIM bounces back, captures images of 'toy poodle' rock on Moon's surface The moon lander went dormant after capturing an amazing black-and-white picture of the rocky lunar surface. Last night (1/31 ~ 2/1) we sent a command to switch on #SLIM’s communicator again just in case, but with no response, we confirmed SLIM had entered a dormant state. This is the last scene of the Moon taken by SLIM before dusk. #GoodAfterMoon #JAXA pic.twitter.com/V1iAUoxJFK — 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) February 1, 2024 × "Although SLIM was not designed for the harsh lunar nights, we plan to try to operate again from mid-February, when the Sun will shine again on SLIM's solar cells," it added in another post. After completing operation from 1/30 ~ 1/31, #SLIM entered a two week dormancy period during the long lunar night 🌚. Although SLIM was not designed for the harsh lunar nights, we plan to try to operate again from mid-February, when the Sun will shine again on SLIM’s solar cells. pic.twitter.com/JO4ZgDaOxo — 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) February 1, 2024 × JAXA, as per space.com, will have to wait out a roughly 14.5 Earth-days-long lunar night—facing harsh temperatures of around minus 208 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 130 degrees Celsius). It can potentially revive because of the favourable lighting and temperature conditions during the lunar daytime (estimated to start around Feb 15). Previous troubles On January 20, Japan achieved a soft lunar landing, making it only the fifth nation to accomplish this feat, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India. The lander demonstrated remarkable precision, landing within 100 metres of its target and only 55 metres away. Also read | Japan's probe enters lunar orbit, what happens now? Despite the feat, challenges faced by SLIM led to the decision to temporarily switch it off. Landing at a wonky angle left its solar panels facing the wrong way, and merely three hours after landing SLIM had to be switched off. SLIM, as per JAXA, deployed two probes successfully – one equipped with a transmitter and another designed to traverse the lunar surface, capturing images to beam back to Earth. The mini-rover, slightly larger than a tennis ball, has been co-developed by the creators of Transformer Toys. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan's moon lander clicks final image before going dormant once again

<p>Japan's Moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has resumed its operations in a triumphant turnaround. This comes after the lander faced initial challenges with its solar batteries.</p>

<p>Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the successful restoration of communication on X (formerly Twitter), signalling the revival of scientific observations.</p>

<p>"Communication with SLIM was successfully established last night, and operations resumed!," said JAXA.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japans-successful-moon-landing-was-upside-down-quite-literally-683782">Japan's successful Moon landing was 'upside down', quite literally</a></strong></p>

<p>"Science observations were immediately started with the MBC, and we obtained first light for the 10-band observation. This figure shows the “toy poodle” observed in the multi-band observation," it added. Here MBC refers to the lander's multi-band spectroscopic camera.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Communication with SLIM was successfully established last night, and operations resumed! Science observations were immediately started with the MBC, and we obtained first light for the 10-band observation. This figure shows the “toy poodle” observed in the multi-band observation. <a href="https://t.co/WYD4NlYDaG">pic.twitter.com/WYD4NlYDaG</a></p>
— 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SLIM_JAXA/status/1751766255810556340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>It also shared an image taken by SLIM of a rock resembling a "toy poodle" near the lander, offering a glimpse into the lunar surface.</p>

<h2><strong>SLIM's troubles</strong></h2>

<p>The announcement came after the lunar lander encountered issues with its solar batteries, leading to a hiatus in its power generation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On January 20, Japan achieved a soft lunar landing, making it only the fifth nation to accomplish this feat, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lander demonstrated remarkable precision, landing within 100 metres of its target and only 55 metres away.</p>

<p>Despite the feat, challenges faced by SLIM led to the decision to temporarily switch it off, merely three hours after landing, reports AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/pieces-of-asteroid-2024-bx1-that-crashed-into-earth-over-germany-recovered-684636">Pieces of asteroid 2024 BX1, that crashed into Earth over Germany, recovered</a></strong></p>

<p>SLIM, as per JAXA, deployed two probes successfully – one equipped with a transmitter and another designed to traverse the lunar surface, capturing images to beam back to Earth. The mini-rover, slightly larger than a tennis ball, has been co-developed by the creators of Transformer Toys.</p>

<p>Japan's lunar endeavours have faced challenges in the past, with two previous missions encountering setbacks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Japan's 'Moon Sniper' achieves historic lunar landing</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japans-moon-sniper-achieves-historic-lunar-landing-681756/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>In 2022, the nation witnessed an unsuccessful mission of its lunar probe, Omotenashi, as part of the United States' ambitious Artemis 1 mission. Adding to the cosmic drama, a Japanese startup, ispace, embarked on its lunar odyssey in April 2022. The attempts to etch its name as the first private company to achieve a Moon landing failed as the mission encountered challenges after what the company described as a "hard landing".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japan's Moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has resumed its operations in a triumphant turnaround. This comes after the lander faced initial challenges with its solar batteries.

Japan's Moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has resumed its operations in a triumphant turnaround. This comes after the lander faced initial challenges with its solar batteries. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the successful restoration of communication on X (formerly Twitter), signalling the revival of scientific observations. "Communication with SLIM was successfully established last night, and operations resumed!," said JAXA. Also read | Japan's successful Moon landing was 'upside down', quite literally "Science observations were immediately started with the MBC, and we obtained first light for the 10-band observation. This figure shows the “toy poodle” observed in the multi-band observation," it added. Here MBC refers to the lander's multi-band spectroscopic camera. Communication with SLIM was successfully established last night, and operations resumed! Science observations were immediately started with the MBC, and we obtained first light for the 10-band observation. This figure shows the “toy poodle” observed in the multi-band observation. pic.twitter.com/WYD4NlYDaG — 小型月着陸実証機SLIM (@SLIM_JAXA) January 29, 2024 × It also shared an image taken by SLIM of a rock resembling a "toy poodle" near the lander, offering a glimpse into the lunar surface. SLIM's troubles The announcement came after the lunar lander encountered issues with its solar batteries, leading to a hiatus in its power generation. On January 20, Japan achieved a soft lunar landing, making it only the fifth nation to accomplish this feat, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India. The lander demonstrated remarkable precision, landing within 100 metres of its target and only 55 metres away. Despite the feat, challenges faced by SLIM led to the decision to temporarily switch it off, merely three hours after landing, reports AFP. Also read | Pieces of asteroid 2024 BX1, that crashed into Earth over Germany, recovered SLIM, as per JAXA, deployed two probes successfully – one equipped with a transmitter and another designed to traverse the lunar surface, capturing images to beam back to Earth. The mini-rover, slightly larger than a tennis ball, has been co-developed by the creators of Transformer Toys. Japan's lunar endeavours have faced challenges in the past, with two previous missions encountering setbacks. Also watch | Japan's 'Moon Sniper' achieves historic lunar landing In 2022, the nation witnessed an unsuccessful mission of its lunar probe, Omotenashi, as part of the United States' ambitious Artemis 1 mission. Adding to the cosmic drama, a Japanese startup, ispace, embarked on its lunar odyssey in April 2022. The attempts to etch its name as the first private company to achieve a Moon landing failed as the mission encountered challenges after what the company described as a "hard landing". (With inputs from agencies)

Lunar resilience: Japan's SLIM bounces back, captures images of 'toy poodle' rock on Moon's surface

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Japan's moon lander clicks final image before going dormant once again

Lunar resilience: Japan's SLIM bounces back, captures images of 'toy poodle' rock on Moon's surface