The lander’s solar cell malfunctioned, preventing it from producing power as intended.
Following the confirmation that the SLIM lander survived its drop to the surface of the moon today, Japan has become the fifth nation to successfully land on the moon. However, it is likely that Japan’s mission will only last for a limited period of time. It has been reported by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, that the spacecraft is experiencing issues with its solar cell, which is preventing it from properly producing electricity. Given the current state of the battery, it is possible that it will only have sufficient power to keep it operational for a few more hours.
During a news briefing held this afternoon, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) stated that it is obvious that SLIM did achieve a soft landing based on how the other instruments are functioning. Although it has been able to contact with Earth and receive commands, the spacecraft is currently functioning on a battery that is about to run out. In addition to the fact that the solar cell is not functioning properly, it is not evident what the specific problem is with the solar cell.
There is a possibility that the panels are not facing the appropriate direction to receive sunlight at this moment. If this is the case, then it is possible that the panels will begin charging again when the sun is in a different configuration. However, JAXA has stated that it need additional time in order to comprehend what has transpired. LEV-1 and LEV-2, two small rovers that accompanied SLIM to the moon, were able to successfully separate from the lander as intended before it touched down, and all indications point to them being in good functioning condition at this point.
JAXA has stated that it is currently concentrating on making the most of the remaining operational time it has with SLIM in order to obtain as much information is possible from the landing. SLIM, which stands for the Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon, has also been referred to as the “Moon Sniper” due to the precision landing technology that it employs. This technology is designed to bring it within one hundred meters of its target, which is the Shioli crater. The organization intends to hold yet another press conference the following week in order to provide additional updates.
SLIM’s landing was nevertheless a significant accomplishment, despite the fact that its time may be running out. In addition to the United States, China, India, and Russia, only four other nations have been able to successfully land on the moon. The most recent attempt by the United States, which was privately led and called Peregrine Mission One, was unsuccessful because the spacecraft started leaking propellant around one week after it was launched on January 8. It was able to maintain its position for a number of additional days and even got as close to the moon as it could, but there was no possibility of a soft landing. Last night, the company that was responsible for the lander, Astrobotic, confirmed that the spacecraft, Peregrine, successfully completed a controlled return and burned up in the atmosphere of Earth over the South Pacific.