this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2024
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213
Japan's lunar lander is dying before our eyes after setting down on Moon (www.theregister.com)
submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 69 points 9 months ago (2 children)

It was a very Kerbal landing technique they were attempting, got to respect them for attempting new things even when it's their first try at a lander.

Last I heard, speculation was that the solar panels were pointing to the west and so it might "wake up" again later in the Lunar day when the Sun gets past zenith. They landed in Lunar morning to maximize the usable duration of sunlight, so right now the panels would be pointed directly away from it.

[–] [email protected] 51 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Kerbal landing technique? Like smashing into the surface max speed because you somehow managed to decouple your only engine due to poor preplanning? At least that's how I play it.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

In this case, the landing legs were on the "side" of the probe. It was supposed to come down to a halt hovering right above the surface and then flop over onto them.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

Or my technique of landing... "Forgetting the chute with 0 fuel left" 😜

[–] [email protected] 32 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yes, even smacking into Mun is an accomplishment when just starting out. That's as far as I ever got--hopefully Japan does better.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

After playing daily for about a month I could reliably launch without exploding and get into space. I made the mistake of watching videos online and seeing people landing on other planets and exploring and making transforming Gundam ships.

Haven't played since.