Japan’s First Moon Lander Survives Third Freezing Lunar Night

Japan’s first moon lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has defied the odds by surviving a third freezing lunar night, Japan’s space agency announced on Wednesday. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) received an image from the device three months after it landed on the moon, confirming that it responded to a signal from Earth and has endured another weekslong lunar night.

Temperatures on the moon can plummet to a bone-chilling minus 170 degrees Celsius during the night, only to rise to around 100 degrees Celsius during the day. Despite not being designed to withstand these extreme temperature fluctuations, SLIM has continued to function, showcasing the resilience of Japanese technology.

SLIM made history on January 20 when it became the fifth country to successfully place a probe on the moon. However, the mission hit a snag when the lander touched down upside down, rendering its solar panels unable to see the sun. After being powered off for hours, SLIM miraculously turned back on when the sun rose eight days later.

JAXA revealed that SLIM’s key functions are still operational, despite the harsh conditions it has endured. The agency plans to closely monitor the lander’s condition as it continues its mission to test Japan’s pinpoint landing technology and collect geological data and images.

The news of SLIM’s survival comes on the heels of NASA’s successful restoration of contact with Voyager 1, the farthest space probe from Earth. In contrast, a U.S. lunar probe developed by a private space company recently ceased operations a month after landing, while an Indian moon lander failed to establish communication after touchdown in 2023.

As space exploration continues to push the boundaries of human ingenuity, SLIM’s perseverance serves as a testament to the dedication and innovation of Japan’s space program.