The two current lunar landers, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) and the Odysseus spacecraft, are both located near the moon's south pole. Despite both landers being tilted on their sides upon landing, they continue to function, showcasing remarkable resilience. SLIM, launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), landed on January 19, marking Japan's first successful lunar landing. In contrast, the Odysseus spacecraft, developed by the US company Intuitive Machines, touched down on February 22, becoming the first private spacecraft to achieve this milestone.
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Odie, as the Odysseus spacecraft is affectionately called, has been experiencing issues with its antenna orientation, affecting data transmission. However, its solar panels remain operational. Conversely, SLIM's solar panels were initially inactive due to its tilted position upon landing. After a period of shutdown to preserve battery life, SLIM managed to reorient its solar panels to capture sunlight. Unfortunately, this was short-lived as the lunar night descended, causing temperatures to plummet.
Both landers' operational challenges highlight the harsh lunar environment. Odysseus is expected to cease transmitting data on February 27, succumbing to the lunar night's frigid conditions. On the other hand, SLIM recently sent a signal, indicating survival through the lunar night. These developments offer valuable insights into future lunar missions, as space agencies and private companies prepare for upcoming missions, including the Artemis III mission, which aims to return astronauts to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
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