Just Landing On The Moon, Japan Was Forced To Turn Off The SLIM Plane

JAXA removes the SLIM aircraft battery (photo: twitter @SLIM_JAXA)

The smart Lander for Investigation Moon (SLIM) belonging to the Japanerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has landed on the Moon. Although successful, JAXA faced problems after the SLIM landed.

The state agency reported that the solar panels were not functioning properly. This problem causes the battery to continue to decline and the SLIM cannot charge its batteries because the solar panels have not been able to produce electricity.

About 2 hours 37 minutes after landing, the SLIM battery continued to drop and hit 12 percent. On several considerations, JAXA decided to revoke the battery and make the vehicle shut down in the near future.

The electricity supply from solar cells is not yet certain. At a 12 percent battery level, the battery is lifted (as planned) to avoid being able to restart for recovery operations due to excess emptying, "explained JAXA via SLIM social media.

JAXA is optimistic that SLIM will be able to survive until solar cells reach the position of the aircraft. When the Sun's rays start to shine on the Moon from the west, the solar panels will produce electricity and SLIM can be revived.

Before the battery was lifted, JAXA had secured technical data and images obtained during the landing. JAXA admitted that it was enthusiastic to analyze the data. Currently, the special SLIM team is analyzing the data that has been received.

"We are preparing to announce the status of the SLIM and the latest results at the end of the week. Even though the attitude after the landing did not go according to plan, we are delighted to be able to achieve many things and are delighted to have made it to land," concluded JAXA.