SLIM Moon Landing Photo Highlights Autonomous Lunar Robotics

Japanese space agency JAXA released the first close view of the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon SLIM and the small robotic explorer it carried. The image appeared on the official JAXA page and was shared later on the agency’s X account, formerly known as Twitter. The snapshot offers a rare look at a mission element designed to test precision landing and surface operations on the Moon, with the LEV-2 rover seen aboard the SLIM lander as it touched down on the lunar surface. This is the first high resolution glimpse of SLIM and its auxiliary hardware since the mission began, providing the public with a tangible connection to ongoing lunar exploration. The event represents a milestone in Japan’s commitment to advancing autonomous surface science and robotic mobility on another world, as reported by JAXA observers and mission team members who track every phase of the flight and landing sequence.