<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:14,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:51,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1703}">Japanese space agency, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on Monday (Aug 26) announced that it has ended its Moon lander operation. The decision as per reports was taken after the space agency lost communication with the uncrewed spaceship last week.</p>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:84,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1773}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:84,&quot;w&quot;:434,&quot;h&quot;:24,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1773}">No prospect of restoring communication</strong></h2>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:128,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:51,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1817}">Taking to social media platform X, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) wrote that there was no response from The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM). The agency tried to communicate with SLIM last week after three frigid lunar nights or six cold weeks — in Earth time.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:194,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1883}">"We judged that there was no prospect of restoring communication with SLIM, and at around 22:40 (1340 GMT) on August 23, we sent a command to stop the SLIM activity," said the space agency.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:243,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1932}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:243,&quot;w&quot;:593,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1932}">Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:243,&quot;w&quot;:513,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1932}" href="https://www.wionews.com/science/aliens-may-be-exploiting-miniature-black-hole-moons-for-energy-study-753326">Aliens may be exploiting miniature black hole 'moons' for energy: Study</a></strong></p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:275,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1964}">Nearly a year after launching the operation, it said that "SLIM continued to transmit information on its status and the surrounding environment for a much longer period than expected."&nbsp;</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:324,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2013}">"At the time of launch, no one imagined that the operation would continue this long," it added.</p>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:360,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2049}"><strong bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:360,&quot;w&quot;:136,&quot;h&quot;:24,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2049}">Moon Sniper</strong></h2>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:404,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2093}">Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) or the "Moon Sniper" as it has been nicknamed for its landing precision, touched down on the lunar surface eight months ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:453,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2142}">With the touchdown in January, Japan became only the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the moon. However, SLIM landed on the lunar surface at a wonky angle, due to which its solar panels were left facing the wrong way.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:502,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2191}">Once the sun's angle shifted, the SLIM lander came back to life for two days. At that time, it carried out scientific observations of the lunar crater with a high-spec camera.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:502,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2191}"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-astronaut-captures-mesmerising-scene-of-moon-setting-above-the-pacific-753378">NASA astronaut captures mesmerising scene of moon setting above the Pacific</a></strong></p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:551,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2240}">Even though it was not designed to withstand the frigid, two-week-long lunar nights where the temperature plunges to minus 133 degrees, it woke up for a third time in April.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:600,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:68,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2289}">The SLIM mission sought to examine a part of the Moon's mantle — the deep inner layer beneath the satellite's crust. As per estimates, it was accessible through the crater where SLIM landed. The Japanese spacecraft carried out two probes — one with a transmitter and a mini-rover that, as per AFP, moves in a similar manner as a turtle. Moving around the lunar surface, it beamed images back to Earth.</p>

<p bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:683,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:17,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2372}"><em bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:683,&quot;w&quot;:182,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2372}">(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japanese space agency, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on Monday (Aug 26) announced that it has ended its Moon lander operation. The decision as per reports was taken after the space agency lost communication with the uncrewed spaceship last week.

Japanese space agency, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on Monday (Aug 26) announced that it has ended its Moon lander operation. The decision as per reports was taken after the space agency lost communication with the uncrewed spaceship last week. No prospect of restoring communication Taking to social media platform X, The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) wrote that there was no response from The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM). The agency tried to communicate with SLIM last week after three frigid lunar nights or six cold weeks — in Earth time. "We judged that there was no prospect of restoring communication with SLIM, and at around 22:40 (1340 GMT) on August 23, we sent a command to stop the SLIM activity," said the space agency. Also read | Aliens may be exploiting miniature black hole 'moons' for energy: Study Nearly a year after launching the operation, it said that "SLIM continued to transmit information on its status and the surrounding environment for a much longer period than expected." "At the time of launch, no one imagined that the operation would continue this long," it added. Moon Sniper Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) or the "Moon Sniper" as it has been nicknamed for its landing precision, touched down on the lunar surface eight months ago. With the touchdown in January, Japan became only the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the moon. However, SLIM landed on the lunar surface at a wonky angle, due to which its solar panels were left facing the wrong way. Once the sun's angle shifted, the SLIM lander came back to life for two days. At that time, it carried out scientific observations of the lunar crater with a high-spec camera. Also read | NASA astronaut captures mesmerising scene of moon setting above the Pacific Even though it was not designed to withstand the frigid, two-week-long lunar nights where the temperature plunges to minus 133 degrees, it woke up for a third time in April. The SLIM mission sought to examine a part of the Moon's mantle — the deep inner layer beneath the satellite's crust. As per estimates, it was accessible through the crater where SLIM landed. The Japanese spacecraft carried out two probes — one with a transmitter and a mini-rover that, as per AFP, moves in a similar manner as a turtle. Moving around the lunar surface, it beamed images back to Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan's SLIM takes the final bow, lunar mission shut down after lost communication

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<p>Japan's space agency - the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) - said on Thursday (Jan 25) that it achieved an unprecedented "pinpoint" Moon landing within 100 metres of the target. "SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) succeeded in a pin-point soft landing... the landing point is confirmed to be 55 metres away from the target point," JAXA said. Last Saturday (Jan 20), Japan became the world's fifth country to put a spacecraft on the Moon, as the SLIM made a soft landing on the lunar surface.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The space agency also said that it received all data about the SLIM's landing in the two&nbsp;hours and 37 minutes after the touchdown and before the probe lost power, a report by the news agency Reuters said. SLIM's solar panels have been unable to generate electricity likely because they were angled wrong, but a change in the sunlight's direction could power it up again, JAXA added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-moon-sniper-switched-off-space-agency-says-data-transmission-completed-682353">Japan's Moon sniper switched off, space agency says data transmission completed</a></strong></p>

<p>JAXA published the first colour images from the mission,&nbsp;showing the SLIM craft sitting intact at a slight angle on the rocky grey surface, lunar slopes rising in the distance, a report by the news agency AFP said. However, these images were not publicly available yet.</p>

<p>Two probes detached successfully from SLIM on Jan 20: one with a transmitter and another designed to trundle around the lunar surface beaming images to Earth.</p>

<h2><strong>Regaining confidence in space technology</strong></h2>

<p>SLIM is one of several new lunar missions launched by government&nbsp;and private firms, 50 years after the first human Moon landing. Japan, which entered the space age in 1970 with the launch of a satellite, is hoping to regain confidence in its space technology after many failures.</p>

<p>Last year, a spacecraft designed by a Japanese company crashed during a lunar landing attempt in April, and a new flagship rocket failed its debut launch in March.</p>

<h2><strong>Celebrations muted despite space feat</strong></h2>

<p>Despite becoming the fifth country (after Russia, the United States, India and China) to reach the Moon,&nbsp;celebrations (in Japan) on Jan 20 were muted due to a problem with the spacecraft's solar batteries, which were not generating power, AFP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines?</strong></p>

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<p>JAXA decided to switch SLIM off with 12 per cent power remaining, to allow for a possible recovery when the sun's angle changes. Before the power was turned off, the spacecraft was able to download technical and image data from the craft's descent and the lunar surface.</p>

<p>Earlier this week, the space agency said that if sunlight hits the Moon from the West in the future, "we believe there's a possibility of power generation, and we're currently preparing for restoration".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japan's space agency - the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) - said on Thursday (Jan 25) that it achieved an unprecedented "pinpoint" Moon landing within 100 metres of the target.

Japan's space agency - the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) - said on Thursday (Jan 25) that it achieved an unprecedented "pinpoint" Moon landing within 100 metres of the target. "SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) succeeded in a pin-point soft landing... the landing point is confirmed to be 55 metres away from the target point," JAXA said. Last Saturday (Jan 20), Japan became the world's fifth country to put a spacecraft on the Moon, as the SLIM made a soft landing on the lunar surface. The space agency also said that it received all data about the SLIM's landing in the two hours and 37 minutes after the touchdown and before the probe lost power, a report by the news agency Reuters said. SLIM's solar panels have been unable to generate electricity likely because they were angled wrong, but a change in the sunlight's direction could power it up again, JAXA added. Also read | Japan's Moon sniper switched off, space agency says data transmission completed JAXA published the first colour images from the mission, showing the SLIM craft sitting intact at a slight angle on the rocky grey surface, lunar slopes rising in the distance, a report by the news agency AFP said. However, these images were not publicly available yet. Two probes detached successfully from SLIM on Jan 20: one with a transmitter and another designed to trundle around the lunar surface beaming images to Earth. Regaining confidence in space technology SLIM is one of several new lunar missions launched by government and private firms, 50 years after the first human Moon landing. Japan, which entered the space age in 1970 with the launch of a satellite, is hoping to regain confidence in its space technology after many failures. Last year, a spacecraft designed by a Japanese company crashed during a lunar landing attempt in April, and a new flagship rocket failed its debut launch in March. Celebrations muted despite space feat Despite becoming the fifth country (after Russia, the United States, India and China) to reach the Moon, celebrations (in Japan) on Jan 20 were muted due to a problem with the spacecraft's solar batteries, which were not generating power, AFP reported. Also watch | Why is NASA pushing back Moon mission timelines? × JAXA decided to switch SLIM off with 12 per cent power remaining, to allow for a possible recovery when the sun's angle changes. Before the power was turned off, the spacecraft was able to download technical and image data from the craft's descent and the lunar surface. Earlier this week, the space agency said that if sunlight hits the Moon from the West in the future, "we believe there's a possibility of power generation, and we're currently preparing for restoration". (With inputs from agencies)

An 'unprecedented' pinpoint landing: Japan says its Moon landing was within 100 metres of target

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Japan's SLIM takes the final bow, lunar mission shut down after lost communication

An 'unprecedented' pinpoint landing: Japan says its Moon landing was within 100 metres of target