A MOON rover is about to collapse tonight due to a solar issue.
Yesterday, Japan became the fifth country to land one on the lunar surface after a three-day mission.
But the Moon Intelligent Lander (SLIM) stopped shipping this afternoon.
The spacecraft, which made a “precision landing” 100 meters from its target, came to a standstill because its solar panels were unable to generate electricity.
This means that SLIM’s batteries cannot be recharged and will run out overnight, disrupting Japan’s first lunar mission.
It is feared that the rover’s solar panels are placed at an angle.
But it could be revived next month as the sun’s direction alters.
Space agency chief Hitoshi Kuninaka added: “It takes 30 days for the solar angle to change on the moon.
“So when the direction of the sun changes and the light shines in another direction, the light could end up hitting the solar cell. “
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