Its name is Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV-1). It is a 2.1 kilo robot deployed from Japan's SLIM lander. The Japanese rover that jumps on the Moon achieves its mission by moving like a grasshopper.
Its deployment was confirmed on January 20 just before the SLIM module landed on the moon. The 'little grasshopper' LEV-1 successfully carried out activities on the lunar surface. Telemetry data was sent directly from the small robot. This is reported by JAXA, the Japanese space agency.
Moongrasshopper
The Japanese moon hopping rover executed planned hopping movements and direct communication with ground stations. This rover, which was deployed alongside LEV-1, is ball-shaped, with a diameter of 8 centimeters and a mass of 250 grams.
On the other hand, the acquisition of images on the lunar surface from LEV-1 has not been confirmed so far. Yes, images have been received from SORA-Q, specifically from the SLIM module itself.
A statement from the Japanese space agency (JAXA) says so. «It completed its planned operational period on the lunar surface. “Its designated power has been exhausted and it is in a standby state on the lunar surface.” The ability to resume activity depends on the generation of solar energy from changes in the sun's direction. But efforts will continue to continue receiving signals from LEV-1.
Success in the operation
Both LEV-1 and LEV-2 have become Japan's first lunar exploration robots. The small LEV-1 has a mass of 2.1 kg (including a 90 g communication device). It has already achieved successful direct communication with Earth from the Moon. It is the world's smallest and lightest case of direct data transmission from there.
The achievement of LEV-1's jumping movements on the lunar surface was highlighted. Also communication between robots and fully autonomous operations. It is a groundbreaking achievement, says JAXA. On the other hand, radio wave transmissions in the UHF band from LEV-1 have been received by radio amateurs around the world.
