2024-01-26 12:45:54
Illustrations of LEV-1 (left) and LEV-2 during testing before the SLIM mission – JAXA
MADRID, 26 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV-1), a 2.1-kilogram robot deployed from Japan’s SLIM landerhas achieved its goal of moving by making small jumps on the lunar surface.
After confirming on January 20 its deployment just before the SLIM module landed on the moon —which registered a problem in generating energy with its solar cells–, the ‘little grasshopper’ LEV-1 has been able to successfully carry out activities on the lunar surface. The telemetry data was sent directly from the small robot, reports JAXA, the Japanese space agency.
According to telemetry data, after deployment from SLIM, “LEV-1 executed planned jump movements and direct communication with ground stations”, including transmitting test radio wave data between robots from the Lunar Transformable Robot (LEV- 2, nicknamed “SORA-Q”). This rover, which was deployed alongside LEV-1, is shaped like a ball, a diameter of 8 centimeters and a mass of 250 grams.
On the other hand, the acquisition of images on the lunar surface from LEV-1 has not been confirmed so far. If images have been received from SORA-Q, specifically from the SLIM module itself.
According to a statement from the Japanese space agency (JAXA), LEV-1 “has completed its planned operational period on the lunar surface, has exhausted its designated power and is in a standby state on the lunar surface. “While the ability to resume activity depends on the generation of solar energy from changes in the sun’s direction,”“Efforts will be maintained to continue receiving signals from LEV-1.”
Both LEV-1 and LEV-2 have become Japan’s first lunar exploration robots. Furthermore, the small LEV-1, with a mass of 2.1 kg (including a 90 g communication device), achieved successful direct communication with the Earth from the Moon. This is considered the world’s smallest and lightest case of direct data transmission from approximately 380,000 kilometers away, according to JAXA.
Additionally, the achievement of LEV-1’s jumping movements on the lunar surface, robot-to-robot communication between LEV-1 and LEV-2, and fully autonomous operations represent a groundbreaking achievementindicates JAXA.
On the other hand, radio wave transmissions in the UHF band from LEV-1 They have been received by radio amateurs around the world.
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