Japans SLIM touched down on the Moons surface Friday at 10:20 a.m.
ET (12:20 a.m. Saturday Japan time), right on schedule.
Prior to the landing, all telemetry readings seemed normal.
Conceptual view of SLIM on the lunar surface.Image: JAXA
Broadcasters on JAXAs livestream withheld any confirmation of success until a status report was received.
Normally, targeted landing areas on the Moon are measured at scales 10 times that size.
We are still trying to confirm the situation, a JAXA spokesperson said at 11:15 a.m.
A screenshot of JAXA’s livestream taking shortly after SLIM touched down on the Moon.Screenshot: JAXA
ET, adding that it could take upwards of two hours or more to fully understand the situation.
Without the ability to generate its own power, SLIM is now operating in battery mode.
The battery is expected to last for several hours, JAXA says.
Encouragingly, SLIM managed to eject its two tiny rovers, LEV1 and LEV2, onto the surface.
Its not yet known if SLIM landed within its target area.
JAXA said it hopes to learn more in the coming days and host a press conference early next week.
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