On Friday, Japan achieved the historic milestone of becoming the fifth country to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon. However, the mission faced a setback as the probe, named the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), encountered difficulties in generating solar power, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The primary objective of the mission was to demonstrate “precision” landing technology and revitalize Japan’s space program.

JAXA reported that SLIM successfully landed on the moon’s surface at 1520 GMT and re-established communication with Earth. Unfortunately, the solar panels were unable to generate electricity, possibly due to misalignment. As a result, SLIM is currently relying solely on its battery for operation. Hitoshi Kuninaka, the head of JAXA’s research center, explained during a press conference that efforts are focused on transferring the probe’s data to Earth.

Despite implementing “life-sustaining treatments,” such as disabling the heater, SLIM’s battery life is limited to “a few hours.” Rather than taking risky actions, JAXA has opted to maintain the current status. The agency is hopeful that a change in the sunlight’s angle over the next 30 days on the moon will allow the panels to receive light in a way that restores their functionality.

Referred to as the “moon sniper,” SLIM aimed to achieve a precision landing within 100 meters (328 feet) of its target, a notable improvement over the conventional accuracy of landing within several kilometers. JAXA believes that this technology will play a crucial role in future exploration of the moon’s hilly poles, which are seen as potential sources of oxygen, fuel, and water.