On Thursday, 16 January 2025 at 14:15 h our next institute seminar will take place with a guest from Japan.
Speaker: Dr Tetsuo Yoshimitsu / JAXA
Titel: 20 MINUTES OF ATTENTION: SLIM’S LUNAR LANDING CHALLENGE
In 2023, Japan launched a remarkable mission with the deployment of the lunar lander SLIM. On January 19, 2024, SLIM successfully touched down on the lunar surface, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s space exploration history. Despite not achieving a perfect landing position, the lander remained functional for several months, showcasing its robustness and reliability.
A particular highlight of the mission was the deployment of LEV-1, Japan’s first lunar rover. This small, fully autonomous rover, equipped with a hopping mechanism, was released a few meters above the lunar surface shortly before SLIM’s landing. During its two-hour mission, LEV-1 executed seven successful hops, navigated the challenging lunar terrain, and transmitted valuable data back to Earth.
Dr. Tetsuo Yoshimitsu of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will discuss the autonomous capabilities and operational outcomes of the LEV-1 rover. Additionally, he will provide insights into future lunar missions building on the experiences and findings of the LEV-1 project.
