Above: H-IIA Booster
Mission Details
| Mission Name: SLIM |
| Mission Type: Lunar Lander |
| COSPAR: 2023-137D |
| NORAD: N/A |
| Operator: JAXA |
| Launching State: Japan |
| Location: Shioli Crater |
| Latitude: 13.3160 ° S |
| Longitude: 25.2510 ° E |
| Launch Date: 6 September 2023, 23:42:11 UT |
| Landing Date: 19 January 2024, 15:20 UT |
| Objects on or Related to Site: LEV-1 Rover, LEV-2 Rover |
| Image Source: Above, Above Right, Right: JAXA |
Description
The mission of SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) was primarily to demonstrate the ability to execute pinpoint soft landings on celestial bodies. JAXA was interested in developing this capability because it assessed that future missions will continue to demand more accuracy and precision in their landing locations. For example, as Moon missions get closer to the lunar poles, a lower percentage of sites within a given target zone meet minimum criteria for insolation. Additionally, as scientific or research objectives become more ambitious, it is important to be able to guarantee landing within a certain distance from proposed exploration targets. For this mission, JAXA wished land within a 100m radius of its target point.
SLIM was launched on September 6th, 2023 on a H-IIA booster from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center, sharing the payload with the XRISM mission. Between October and January, SLIM performed lunar orbital maneuvering, going from an elliptical orbit at 5000km of altitude to a 3.5km altitude. SLIM landed on January 19th, 2024, within the targeted 100m radius. However, the landing was not completely successful, due to a thruster failure which caused the spacecraft to land on its side. This in turn caused the solar panels to be far less effective than planned, which limited the lander’s power budget. The lander was still able to perform some of the planned operations and has maintained communications through four lunar days, as of time of writing.
Read more:
https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/missions/spacecraft/current/slim.html
Below: LEV-2 photography of SLIM lander on the moon, sent via LEV-1.
Heritage Consideration
Object on or Related to Site
| Object Name: LEV-1 Rover, LEV-2 Rover (also known as SORA-Q) | |
| Deployment: Just prior to SLIM landing. | |
| End Date: TBD | |
| Function: Technological demonstration, scientific/research | |
| Image Source: LEV-1: Chuo University, SORA-Q: Tomy |
Description
Both LEV-1 (Lunar Excursion Vehicle) and LEV-2, also known as SORA-Q, were deployed while the SLIM was hovering a few meters above the lunar surface prior to landing.
Both rovers are demonstrating unorthodox methods of maneuvering. LEV-1 “hops” and SORA-Q has two wheels on its sides, taller than the chassis itself, which can articulate. SORA-Q’s locomotion is inspired by frogs and sea turtles. SORA-Q is also capable of transformation, and expands out of its original spherical package.
The rovers carry between them, a thermometer, radiation monitor and inclinometer. The LEV-1 has its own UHF band antennae, and is capable of direct communication with the Earth’s surface – an impressive accomplishment for a rover of its size.
Above: LEV-1 rover photographed while in Earth test environment.
Below: LEV-2/SORA-Q rover renderings.
