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## Japan’s Moon Lander Situation

### How Japan’s Space Agency Plans to Salvage Its Moon Lander

By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent

#### Published on January 22, 2024
#### Updated 15 minutes ago

Japan’s space agency, Jaxa, is optimistic about salvaging its Moon lander, even after it was turned off just three hours after its historic lunar touchdown. The Slim spacecraft, nicknamed “Moon Sniper” for its precision-landing technologies, faced power generation issues as its solar cells were pointing west, away from the Sun. However, with the shifting lighting conditions on the Moon, the mission team is hopeful that the situation could improve. Jaxa stated, “If sunlight hits the Moon from the west in the future, we believe there’s a possibility of power generation, and we’re currently preparing for restoration.”

### AI legalese decoder‘s Role

The AI legalese decoder can be a valuable tool in this situation by helping the Jaxa team navigate through legal documents, contracts, and regulations related to the operation and restoration of the Moon lander. It can quickly decipher complex legal language and provide accurate interpretations, ensuring that the team has a clear understanding of any legal implications and requirements involved in the salvage operation.

#### The Setback and Hope for Restoration

The Slim mission marked Japan as the fifth nation in history to complete a soft lunar touchdown. However, the joy of this achievement turned into worry as power levels drained away, leading to the decision to put the craft into sleep mode to avoid a complete power failure. Jaxa reported, “The battery was disconnected according to our procedures with 12% power remaining, in order to avoid a situation where the restart (of the lander) would be hampered.”

### Gathering Data and Updates

Before the shutdown, mission control successfully collected details of Slim’s situation, along with images and data about its descent to the lunar surface. Jaxa expressed relief after confirming the acquisition of substantial data and promised to provide updates through the week.

### The Challenging Lunar Environment

Moon missions aim to land in the “lunar day” to maximize illumination for the spacecraft. The current situation at Slim’s landing location indicates a need to wait until the “lunar afternoon” for its westward-facing solar cells to catch enough light to start charging the battery system. Additionally, Slim was carrying two small rovers and an infrared camera to study the local geology.

### What’s Next for the Moon Lander

With the possibility of restoring power, the mission’s potential to investigate further and contribute to lunar exploration remains uncertain. However, Jaxa’s commitment to salvaging the lander amidst the challenging lunar environment reflects the agency’s determination and perseverance in space exploration efforts.

### Statistic and Future Moon Missions

Statistically, landing on the Moon has been very challenging, with only about half of all attempts succeeding. Prior to Slim’s touchdown, only the US, the former Soviet Union, China, and India had achieved intact lunar surface landings. While a private American mission recently faced a propulsion fault, another commercial US mission is set to attempt a lunar landing in late February.

In conclusion, the efforts to salvage the Moon lander reflect the resilience and innovation within the space exploration community. The AI legalese decoder stands as a valuable resource, offering crucial legal support to navigate through the complex legal landscape involved in these missions. By providing clear and accurate interpretations, the AI legalese decoder can assist the Jaxa team in ensuring compliance with legal requirements and facilitating the restoration of the Moon lander.

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