Japanese moon probe resumes work after sunlight reaches its solar panels

Japan’s first lunar mission hit its target with a precision touchdown on January 20 – but the probe landed the wrong way up, leaving its solar panels unable to access sunlight

The lander needs sunlight to generate power (Jaxa/Takara Tomy/Sony Group Corporation/Doshisha University via AP, File)

Mon, 29 Jan, 2024 - 16:24

Mari Yamaguchi, AP

A Japanese moon explorer is up and running after several tense days without the sunlight it needs to generate power.

Japan’s first lunar mission hit its target with a precision touchdown on January 20 – but the probe landed the wrong way up, leaving its solar panels unable to access sunlight.