Small batteries of the Japanese lunar module Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (Slim) ceased to generate energy a few hours after successful landing on the surface of the moon.
According to the Japanese Aerospace Studies Agency (JAXA), the “smart” apparatus for the study of the Moon has successfully landed on the surface of the Earth’s satellite naturalist at 00.20 local time. However, after only 2 hours and 40 minutes, the apparatus had power problems.
Since the solar panels built into the apparatus are not facing the sun, they cannot produce energy and, therefore, the battery does not charge, the agency explained.
However, JAXA experts admit that the module that has sat on the moon will still be able to start the production of electricity using solar panels, which could not be launched immediately after landing.
“Slim sunny elements are turned to the West. Therefore, if sunlight falls on the lunar surface on the western side, there is the possibility of electricity production, and we are preparing to restore power,” the agency said.
-Japonia became the fifth country, which successfully planted an automatic apparatus on the moon
Japanese media reported on the weekend that Japan became the fifth after the former USSR, the United States of China and India, a country in the world that made a soft landing of a spacecraft on the moon.
The device was launched on September 7 from the Tanjasim Cosmodrome in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Jaxa reported that the SLIM device is expected to provide an “unprecedentedly high -precision landing” on the moon.
The weight of the Mitsubishi Electric production apparatus is 700 kilograms, a height of 2.4 meters, width is 2.7 meters.
SLIM received the nickname “Moon Sniper”, as it is intended for landing within 100 meters from a specific target on the surface of the moon.
The module will be able to move on the surface of the moon using a spherical shape with a slightly larger tennis ball.