Japanese flight controllers re-establish contact with tipped-over SLIM moon lander

Japanese flight controllers re-established contact with the robot SLIM lunar lander Saturday, 8 days after the spacecraft tipped over and lost power as it was touching down onJan 19, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency revealed Sunday.

An engine breakdown minutes prior to touchdown created the Smart Landing for Investigating (the) Moon, or SLIM, spacecraft to wander away throughout its last descent rather than going down directly to the surface area.

That side speed evidently created the probe to tilt over as it touched down, leaving its solar batteries, connected to the top of the lander, dealing with far from the sunlight. Without solar energy, the spacecraft was compelled to count on the decreasing power in its on-board battery.