Japanese-Owned SLIM Spacecraft Successfully Landing On The Moon

Japanese-made lander arrives at the Moon (photo: dock. JAXA)

JAKARTA The Smart Lander for Investigation Moon (SLIM), a Japanese-made spacecraft, successfully landed on the Moon. This aircraft carried out landing operations on Saturday, January 20.

After reaching the lunar surface at the specified time, which is 00.20 local time, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said that they managed to connect with the plane.

This historic landing makes Japan the fifth country to reach the moon. Several other countries that have landed vehicles on the Moon are the United States (US), Russia, China, and India.

JAXA President Hiroshi Yamanaka has confirmed the landing. Quoting from the Japan Times, Yamanaka said that, "Data continues to be sent to Earth after landing, which is evidence that our soft landing destination has been achieved."

Although SLIM's first mission went well, JAXA said that the SLIM lander could not charge the battery because the solar panels did not produce electricity. This can cause problems because the battery is only able to last for a few hours.

However, JAXA officials believe that the SLIM solar panels are not damaged. They believe that this panel will be filled again once the angle of the sun changes in the next few weeks.

After the SLIM operates well for several days, according to the capacity predicted by JAXA before launch, this lander will be damaged. The reason is, SLIM cannot survive at such extreme lunar noon temperatures.

For now, JAXA will compromise data shipments due to electricity problems that SLIM cannot yet accept. Once the solar panels can function properly, the lander will be mobilized to research the mineral olivine on the Moon.