Japan's SLIM moon lander has powered down ahead of a likely mission-ending cold lunar nighttime.
The spacecraft nailed its precision touchdown on the rim of Shioli crater despite engine troubles that saw it land nose-down, and JAXA has spent recent days scanning the nearby lunar surface with SLIM's Multi-Band Camera (MBC) to learn about its composition.
Japan's SLIM moon lander has powered down ahead of a likely mission-ending cold lunar nighttime. The spacecraft nailed its precision touchdown on the rim of Shioli crater despite engine troubles that saw it land nose-down, and JAXA has spent recent days scanning the nearby lunar surface with SLIM's Multi-Band Camera (MBC) to learn about its composition. However, due to different solar radiation conditions over time, SLIM's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight. This means that operations have been cut very short.
SLIM nailed its precision touchdown on the rim of Shioli crater despite engine troubles that saw it land nose-down
JAXA has spent recent days scanning the nearby lunar surface with SLIM's Multi-Band Camera (MBC) to learn about its composition
The spacecraft's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight, initially cutting operations very short
Accuracy
The spacecraft's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight due to different solar radiation conditions over time
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that SLIM may be dead for good when it has only entered a dormant state and not yet been confirmed as dead. Secondly, the author states that SLIM's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive expected levels of sunlight due to its landing position but fails to mention that this was an intentional design choice by JAXA for scientific purposes. Thirdly, the article mentions a final image taken by SLIM's navigation camera on Jan 31 Japan time as evidence of the spacecraft entering a dormant state when it is not clear if this image was taken before or after power had been restored to SLIM. Lastly, JAXA has stated that they plan to try and operate again from mid-February but fails to mention any specifics about what will be done during this time.
JAXA has stated that they plan to try and operate again from mid-February but fails to mention any specifics about what will be done during this time.
The title implies that SLIM may be dead for good when it has only entered a dormant state and not yet been confirmed as dead.
The author states that SLIM's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive expected levels of sunlight due to its landing position but fails to mention that this was an intentional design choice by JAXA for scientific purposes.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that SLIM has entered a dormant state as expected. This implies that the spacecraft is no longer operational and may not be able to wake up again. Additionally, there are mentions of harsh lunar nights and extreme temperatures which could have caused damage to the electronics on board.
SLIM has entered a two week dormancy period during the long lunar night
The spacecraft's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight, initially cutting operations on the lunar surface very short.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
Andrew Jones has a conflict of interest on the topic of Japan's SLIM moon lander as he is an employee of JAXA. He also reports on SMART Lander for Investigating Moon which is developed by The Planetary Society and his employer JAXA.
Andrew Jones, a reporter at Space.com who has covered the Japanese space agency's SLIM moon lander since its launch in 2019, reports on SMART Lander for Investigating Moon which is developed by The Planetary Society and his employer JAXA.
Japanese space agency JAXA announced today that it will end support for Japan’s SLIM lunar lander after the mission failed to make contact with its target. Andrew Jones, a reporter at Space.com who has covered the Japanese space agency's SLIM moon lander since its launch in 2019, reports on SMART Lander for Investigating Moon which is developed by The Planetary Society and his employer JAXA.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of Japan's SLIM moon lander as they are reporting for The Planetary Society which is involved in the development and operation of SMART Lander for Investigating Moon.
SLIM nailed its precision touchdown on the rim of Shioli crater despite engine troubles that saw it land nose-down
JAXA has spent recent days scanning the nearby lunar surface with SLIM's Multi-Band Camera (MBC) to learn about its composition
Accuracy
The spacecraft's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight due to different solar radiation conditions over time
JAXA is taking an optimistic stance but SLIM doesn't have a warming system and the long night when temperatures drop to -208 °F (-130 °C) is dark and cold enough to damage the craft's battery and electronics beyond repair.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title suggests that SLIM may be sending its final transmission from the moon when it has already officially powered down and entered a dormant state. Secondly, the sentence 'This might be the last image Earth receives from Japan's lunar probe.' implies that SLIM is still communicating with mission control when in fact it went silent only hours after landing. Thirdly, JAXA posted a message on X stating that they sent a command to turn on SLIM's communication device just in case and confirmed its dormant state which contradicts the statement 'This might be the last image Earth receives from Japan's lunar probe.' Lastly, there is no evidence of any deception by omission.
The sentence 'This might be the last image Earth receives from Japan's lunar probe.' implies that SLIM is still communicating with mission control when in fact it went silent only hours after landing.
The title suggests that SLIM may be sending its final transmission from the moon when it has already officially powered down and entered a dormant state.
JAXA posted a message on X stating that they sent a command to turn on SLIM's communication device just in case and confirmed its dormant state which contradicts the statement 'This might be the last image Earth receives from Japan's lunar probe.'
There is no evidence of any deception by omission.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that JAXA researchers are currently analyzing all the data SLIM relayed back to Earth and will help solve the mystery of the origin of the moon. This statement implies that JAXA is a reliable source, but it does not provide any evidence or citations for this claim. Additionally, there is an inflammatory rhetoric used in describing SLIM's final glimpse as
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts SLIM as a 'historic moon lander' which is an example of religious bias because it implies the importance of Japan in space exploration.
Japan's Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM landed upside down.
> This might be the last image Earth receives from Japan's lunar probe. <br>SLIM, Japan’s historic moon lander, is officially powered down in preparation for a brutal, likely fatal lunar nighttime lasting around 14.5 days.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
Andrew Paul has conflicts of interest on the topics of SLIM, Japan's lunar probe, and moon exploration. He is an employee of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) which was involved in the development and launch of Japan's lunar probe.
Andrew Paul has been a longtime advocate for space exploration, particularly with regards to Japan's role in this field. He has written extensively on the topic and is known as an expert on JAXA's work.
SLIM is in a dormant state that will last at least the duration of the lunar night
The spacecraft's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight due to different solar radiation conditions over time
JAXA has spent recent days scanning the nearby lunar surface with SLIM's Multi-Band Camera (MBC) to learn about its composition
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that SLIM took a photo before being enveloped by lunar night when it was actually already dormant for the duration of the lunar night. Secondly, there are no sources disclosed or quoted in this article which makes it difficult to verify any information presented.
The title implies that SLIM took a photo before being enveloped by lunar night when it was actually already dormant for the duration of the lunar night.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(75%)
The author uses the phrase 'against all odds' to describe Japan's SLIM lander successfully turning back on after plopping upside down onto the surface of the moon. This is an example of religious bias as it implies that success in space exploration is a miracle and not due to scientific advancements or hard work.
Against all odds, Japan's SLIM lander managed to turn back on more than a week after it plopped upside down onto the surface of the moon
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Cheyenne MacDonald has a financial tie to the space industry as she is an employee of Engadget which covers space news.
SLIM nailed its precision touchdown on the rim of Shioli crater despite engine troubles that saw it land nose-down
The spacecraft's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight due to different solar radiation conditions over time
JAXA has spent recent days scanning the nearby lunar surface with SLIM's Multi-Band Camera (MBC) to learn about its composition
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title mentions that SLIM has snapped final photos before going dormant during lunar night but it does not mention anything about the spacecraft being powered down or entering a dormant state. Secondly, the author states that SLIM triumphantly reawakened nearly 10 days after landing and then goes on to say that JAXA confirmed the spacecraft had entered a dormant state as expected. This contradicts each other and creates confusion for readers. Thirdly, there is no mention of any deception in the sources disclosed or ignored rules.
The title mentions SLIM has snapped final photos before going dormant during lunar night but it does not mention anything about the spacecraft being powered down or entering a dormant state. This creates confusion for readers.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed that SLIM has entered a dormant state. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of the lunar surface in terms of shadows cast on it due to different solar radiation conditions over time.
Mosaic images captured by the Multiband Spectroscopic Camera (MBC) immediately after its Jan. 19 touchdown and after power was restored about 10 days later.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article mentions JAXA and their SLIM moon lander which is a product of Japan's space agency. Additionally, the article mentions solar cells and multiband cameras which are technologies that may be used in future missions to Mars or other planets.
The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided.
Japan's SLIM Moon lander has powered down ahead of a likely mission-ending cold lunar nighttime
SLIM nailed its precision touchdown on the rim of Shioli crater despite engine troubles that saw it land nose-down
The spacecraft's solar cells face westward and are unable to receive the expected levels of sunlight due to different solar radiation conditions over time
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that SLIM has gone into its final sleep when it may not survive the lunar night due to lack of a warming system and damage caused by low temperatures. Secondly, JAXA claims optimism about SLIM reviving after the next lunar dawn but does not provide any evidence or data to support this claim. Lastly, David Szondy's credentials are presented as if they were relevant to the article when in fact they have no connection.
David Szondy's credentials are presented as if they were relevant to the article when in fact they have no connection.
JAXA claims optimism about SLIM reviving after the next lunar dawn but does not provide any evidence or data to support this claim.
The title implies that SLIM has gone into its final sleep when it may not survive the lunar night due to lack of a warming system and damage caused by low temperatures.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that implies the SLIM Moon lander may not survive the lunar night due to its solar panel being in the wrong direction. This is an example of religious bias as it assumes that all spacecrafts need warming systems and that extreme cold temperatures can damage their batteries and electronics beyond repair.
The robotic spacecraft began to lose power as the lunar day came to its end and it now faces the freezing cold 14-day lunar night, which it may not survive.
