The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirms that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) successfully landed on the moon surface on January 20, 2024, at 0:20 am (JST). Communication with spacecraft has been established after the landing
However, the solar cells are currently not generating power, and priority is given to data acquisition from the SLIM on the moon.
Detailed analysis of the acquired data will be conducted in the future, and we will continue to share any updates on the situation.
SLIM is a small-scale exploration lander designed for pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface, reduction in the size and weight of equipment used in Moon landings, and investigation into the Moon’s origins. It will also test technology fundamental to exploration in low-gravity environments, an important requirement for future scientific investigation of the solar system.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is ready to begin preparations for landing descent, based on operational results since insertion into lunar orbit and future plans.
The agency decided to move to the landing descent preparation phase on January 10, 2024, and the apolune (the furthest point from the Moon) descent maneuver was successfully executed and completed on January 14, 2024 at 17:32 JST.
The SLIM spacecraft is further confirmed to be inserted into a circular orbit at the planned altitude of approximately 600 km.
Spacecraft conditions are currently normal.
From now, the perilune (the closest lunar point) descent maneuver will be performed, and the perilune point will be lowered to an altitude of 15 km on January 19, 2024. SLIM will then begin the landing descent on January 20, 2024 at around 0:00 JST. Lunar landing is scheduled at 0:20 JST.
A live broadcast during the SLIM landing descent will be broadcast on the JAXA YouTube official channel, “JAXA Channel,” on January 19, 2024 from 23:00 JST, just prior to the Moon landing.
