Japanese space agency JAXA hopes the SLIM lunar lander can be saved from an untimely end. After landing on Friday, it emerged that SLIM was unable to generate its own power because its solar panels were not working.

Information sent to Earth immediately after landing shows that the lander landed incorrectly. The solar panels now face west, instead of upward. “If sunlight shines on the moon from the west, we believe that power generation is possible,” the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said.

Shortly after landing, the batteries on board SLIM went into action. It was turned off three hours after landing to prevent all of its energy from being used up. This would prevent restarting of on-board equipment.

Japan is the fifth country to have a spacecraft land on the moon. The goal was also to land the spacecraft within one hundred meters of the intended landing site. This would represent a breakthrough, as lunar landers from other countries have landed miles away from the intended landing site. It is not yet clear whether the Japanese have managed to get much closer. More information about this may be announced later this week.

If all goes well, Slim will now be in a place where the Moon’s deep layers are visible on the surface. Examination of the stones there should reveal whether there is water beneath the surface. This is important if people want to establish a station on the moon in the future.