Japan's Moon Sniper lander, also known as SLIM, has surpassed expectations by surviving a third lunar night, enduring extreme temperatures on the moon's surface. Despite not being designed to withstand such harsh conditions, the spacecraft has continued to operate, impressing experts and the mission team.
The historic landing of Moon Sniper on January 19 near the Shioli Crater marked Japan as the third country this century to land on the moon. The spacecraft faced challenges during descent, landing on its nose and causing its solar panels to face west, hindering power generation. However, the team remained hopeful for the lander's revival once sunlight reached the panels.
Remarkably, Moon Sniper has consistently awakened after each lunar night, capturing new images and transmitting data back to Earth before entering hibernation again. The spacecraft's resilience in extreme lunar conditions has intrigued experts, who are closely monitoring its components for potential deterioration.
Despite facing temperatures as low as minus 208 degrees Fahrenheit during lunar nights and up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit during lunar days, Moon Sniper has persevered. The mission team has taken precautions in communicating with the spacecraft to prevent damage from high temperatures.
While Moon Sniper's unexpected landing posed challenges, the team has creatively utilized its navigation cameras and Star Tracker to gather valuable data from the lunar surface. The spacecraft's ability to adapt to its environment has been commendable.
As Moon Sniper prepares to enter another hibernation period, the team plans to resume operations in May when solar cells can generate electricity. The mission team's dedication to the spacecraft's success is evident in their recent composition of a song celebrating Moon Sniper's journey.
Japan's achievement with Moon Sniper adds to the ongoing global efforts in lunar exploration, with countries like India and China also making significant strides in lunar missions. The success of Moon Sniper reflects a new era of lunar exploration, providing valuable insights into Earth's satellite and paving the way for future missions.
