Japan's SLIM Moon Lander Launches Transforming Ball Robot for Precision Landing Mission
Japan's SLIM moon lander, launched by JAXA, includes a tiny lunar explorer called LEV-2, which is a metal sphere that transforms into two halves to traverse the lunar surface. LEV-2 will roll around and image SLIM's landing site, transmitting data back to Earth. The design of LEV-2 was inspired by children's toys and was developed in collaboration with Tomy, Doshisha University, and Sony Group. The goal is to inspire children's interest in science.