Japan’s moon landing is definitely making headlines! Here’s the latest scoop as of today, January 24, 2024:
Historic Achievement: On January 20th, Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), nicknamed “Moon Sniper,” successfully touched down on the lunar surface, making Japan the fifth nation to achieve this feat.
Current Status: The landing itself was a major triumph, but the lander is currently facing a technical challenge. While it touched down safely, there seems to be an issue with its solar panels generating enough power.
Hope for Revival: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) hopes to restore power by strategically timing restarts when the lander’s solar panels are bathed in sunlight. They’ve already collected “lots” of valuable data before the shutdown.
Implications: This mission, even with the current obstacle, marks a significant step for Japan’s space program and opens doors for future lunar exploration and research.
Further Developments: JAXA is working diligently to diagnose the power issue and implement solutions. Stay tuned for updates in the coming days and weeks!
Additional Resources: Japan’s moon landing
- The Japan Times: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/01/18/japan/science-health/japan-slim-prepares-for-moon-landing/
- Phys.org: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/11/22/national/science-health/jaxa-moon-failure/
- PBS NewsHour: https://www.pbs.org/show/8-days-moon-and-back/
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