The SLIM space module, which arrived on the moon on January 19, made a precision landing, which was one of the main objectives of the mission. The goal was to get within 100 meters of a specific point, and in the field positioning was achieved within a few meters of the target. The probe experienced technical problems with the probe’s solar panels.

One of the two mini rovers made six jumps and worked for almost two hours. Another tiny rover took pictures of the SLIM probe on the lunar soil. Both small rovers broke away shortly before the lander touched down on the lunar surface.

The Japanese say that the accuracy of the satellite is high, and although the data still needs to be analyzed, it can be estimated to be 3-4 meters from the target point, which is extraordinary.

High accuracy means less than 100 meters from the intended point. The probes that landed were usually several kilometers away from the intended point, which means a lot and complicates the search mission.

Accuracy will be vital for much more complex missions in the future, when much larger payloads will be sent to the moon, and it will be important that they don’t end up too far from where they’re supposed to be. This technology will also be used by NASA in future Artemis missions.

It will be recalled that the SLIM probe had technical problems, the solar batteries stopped working, and the JAXA agency could no longer contact it. The Japanese hope to regain contact with SLIM by February 1st, and also hope that the angle at which the sun’s rays fall on the panel will allow SLIM’s batteries to be charged.

The solar panels do not produce electricity and the sensor is battery operated. To extend their duration, the probe’s heating system was turned off, JAXA said on the 19th.

Japan on Friday became the fifth country to send a probe to the moon.

The probe was launched in September on a Japanese H-2A rocket.

Sources: Reuters, AFP