Looks like SLIM is now having an opportunity to perform some science on the lunar surface after landing on the moon more than a week ago. With the Sun now in the solar panels’ line of sight, JAXA declared that it had reestablished contact with the lander as the batteries started to charge.

Even after a nose dive, SLIM has returned to the internet.
On January 19, Japan successfully landed its first lunar lander, becoming just the fifth country in history to accomplish this accomplishment. But the moment they touched down, the batteries stopped charging, making it clear that something wasn’t right.

We now know what went wrong: the solar panels were not pointing east, which is the direction of the Sun at landing, as was speculated. SLIM’s primary propulsion system malfunctioned during descent, according to information provided by JAXA, which also included a landing image of one of the lander’s engine bells falling off.

Because of this, the rocket’s unusual landing profile—which had crushable legs printed in three dimensions on its side rather than its back—saw it pitch too far over. The additional motion ultimately resulted in the rocket landing nearly vertically on its nose, with the solar panels facing westward.

Because the landing crews intended to save enough battery life to potentially withstand another boot up, the lander was shut down last week when its battery reached 12%. The sun is now in the east, making it local “evening” for SLIM on the moon, and the batteries have started to charge.

Teams were able to start science activities immediately after JAXA reported on Monday that it had reestablished communication with the rover. The lander won’t have much time, though, as the Sun sets for SLIM on Wednesday, plunging the spacecraft into complete darkness.

A first for its kind rover circles the moon
It may be on your mind to question how on earth (or even beyond this world?) JAXA managed to get a picture of its lander. Two rovers were carried by the lander, and they were successfully deployed right before touchdown.

The bigger and first of the two rovers was a first-ever lunar rover that hopped around like a frog rather than rolling or utilizing wheels. Regretfully, the rover’s battery has run out of power before it could finish its intended tasks.

This rover had independent communication capabilities with Earth. Thus, even though its lander had difficulties, it managed to carry out its tasks. The smaller, sphere-shaped second rover may communicate with the bigger, hopping rover by rolling about the surface.

Even though SLIM’s landing was a little chaotic, it was Japan’s first landing and rover operation on the Moon, making it a significant historical achievement. There are still open positions for the first commercial business to land on the moon, and further lunar missions are planned.