Close to finding origins of Moon! All about the new discovery of Japan's SMART lander's
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
SMART lander
A Japanese unmanned lunar spacecraft has accomplished a remarkable feat by capturing and transmitting data analyzing ten lunar rocks, providing unexpected insights that could shed light on the moon's origin, according to a Japan space agency official.
Lunar Exploration Milestone
The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), Japan's inaugural lunar mission, has conducted extensive analysis on lunar rock composition using its multi-band spectral camera since landing on the moon last month.
Operational Challenges
Despite an initial setback where SLIM landed inverted, hindering its solar panels' visibility to the sun and briefly disrupting communication with Earth, the spacecraft successfully resumed operations on the eighth day, establishing communication with the command center at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Data Collection Success
SLIM exceeded expectations by obtaining data from ten lunar rocks, each named after dog breeds like "Akitainu" and "Shibainu," surpassing the anticipated analysis of only one rock.
Origin Investigation
Project manager Shinichiro Sakai expressed optimism that analyzing the mineral compositions of these rocks could provide crucial insights into the moon's origin, particularly in comparison to Earth's mineral compositions.
Giant-Impact Hypothesis
The study aligns with the "giant-impact" hypothesis, suggesting the moon formed from Earth colliding with another celestial body, potentially shedding light on the early solar system's dynamics.
Mission Challenges Ahead
Currently in a state of hibernation during a lunar night lasting until late February, the spacecraft's survival through extreme cold temperatures remains uncertain, raising questions about its ability to resume operations once sunlight returns.
Precision Landing Achievement
SLIM's precise landing, despite encountering engine failure moments before touchdown, positioned it just 60 yards from its target near the Shioli crater, surpassing previous lunar missions' landing accuracy.
Global Lunar Exploration Impact
Japan's successful lunar landing solidifies its position as the fifth country to reach the moon, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, China, and India, marking a significant milestone in global lunar exploration efforts.