Japan, which is among the countries that continue space studies, sent a module to the Moon and ensured a soft landing of the module. After landing, the vehicle was put into sleep mode because the vehicle’s solar panels were facing the wrong way. After the angle of the sun changed, signals started coming from the vehicle again.
It is unknown how long it will be possible to explore
With the tool called SLIM for short, Japan became the fifth country to achieve this, after the USA, the Soviet Union, China and India. Before going into sleep mode, the vehicle managed to transmit details about its current situation, images and information about its descent to the Moon surface. Regarding the bet, JAXA group said, “After confirming that a large number of data had been obtained, we became relieved and excited.” He made the statement.
SLIM also managed to launch the two small reconnaissance vehicles it carried with it just before landing. Apart from these two instruments, there is an infrared camera on the module to examine the geological structure of the Moon. Along with this mission, Japan is trying to find traces of water and other elements necessary for human life on the Moon. It is also aimed to explore the rugged poles of the Moon. The project has a history of more than 20 years.
Dates are of great importance in the moon landings
The days of the Moon are slightly different from those on our planet. Vehicles are generally tried to be unloaded in the early hours of the Lunar day, when the Sun rises above the eastern horizon. In this way, the Sun is used during a daytime period that lasts two weeks in our opinion. Following this daytime, a two-week period of darkness begins.
JAXA is preparing to send an astronaut to the Moon within the next few years as part of NASA’s Artemis program.