In a significant development for lunar exploration, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced the termination of its ambitious Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission. The unmanned spacecraft, which made history with Japan’s first successful moon landing in January 2024, experienced a communication breakdown in May, leading to the decision to cease operations.
SLIM, a collaborative effort between JAXA and other research institutions, demonstrated exceptional precision with its landing, touching down just 55 meters away from its designated target. This remarkable accuracy, a stark contrast to the typical kilometers of error seen in previous lunar landings, marked a major milestone for Japan’s space program.
Until April 30th of this year, SLIM maintained regular communication with Earth, transmitting valuable data and images captured on the moon’s surface. However, since May, all attempts to reestablish contact have been unsuccessful, leaving JAXA with no choice but to issue a command to cease the probe’s operations on August 26th.
During its operational period, SLIM contributed significantly to lunar science by transmitting high-resolution imagery of the moon’s terrain and conducting detailed observations of ten lunar rocks using its specialized camera. Researchers from Ritsumeikan University, among others, have analyzed the data obtained by SLIM and made an important discovery: the presence of olivine, a mineral that holds crucial insights into the moon’s origin and formation.
The identification of olivine on the moon is a major breakthrough in lunar geology, as it suggests similarities between the moon’s composition and that of certain meteorites. This finding adds to the ongoing debate about the moon’s formation, potentially supporting the giant impact theory, which posits that the moon was created from debris resulting from a colossal collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body.
Despite the abrupt end to the SLIM mission, JAXA plans to continue analyzing the data collected by the probe, with the aim of producing a comprehensive scientific report. This report will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the moon’s geology and potentially pave the way for future lunar exploration missions, both by Japan and international partners.
The SLIM mission, though cut short, has left a lasting impact on Japan’s space program and lunar research. It has demonstrated the nation’s technological prowess and its commitment to advancing our understanding of Earth’s natural satellite. The lessons learned from this mission will be crucial in shaping future endeavors, ensuring that subsequent lunar missions are even more precise, efficient, and scientifically productive.
In conclusion, the termination of the SLIM lunar probe marks the end of an era for Japan’s space exploration, but its legacy will endure. The groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements achieved by SLIM will undoubtedly contribute to the global effort to unravel the mysteries of the moon and pave the path for further exploration in the cosmos.
【source】https://nwapi.nhk.jp/nhkworld/rdnewsweb/v6b/zh/detail/20240827_02.json
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