Japan’s lunar lander could start recharging its batteries in the coming days

Tokyo, Jan. 22 (Jiji Press) — The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced Monday that the probe it landed on the lunar surface last Saturday could begin recharging its batteries in the next few years. Despite the successful landing, the ship’s solar panels were unable to generate electricity.

The Intelligent Lunar Exploration Lander (SLIM) arrived on the Moon on Saturday with its solar panels facing west, preventing them from receiving sunlight. According to JAXA, charging can begin when the sun’s angle changes.

According to the agency, SLIM’s solar panels generated electricity during the flight. JAXA used the probe’s internal battery to extract data about the vehicle, as well as photographs it took, and then shut it down just two and a half hours after landing to prevent it from being completely drained and unable to be reactivated.

(Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.)