https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Lander_for_Investigating_Moon

Next week a Japanese lander will touch down on the moon: the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).

The lander will deploy two robots.

LEV-2 is a sphere about 8 cm across, about 250 grams, that can change its shape to roll cylindrically. It is implied that it is low range, with only a 2 hour life.
https://global.jaxa.jp/activity/pr/jaxas/no088/03.html

The other is LEV-1 which will be the first lunar hopper. 2 kg in mass, 40 cm across, and, if I’m reading the docs right, a 4 metre leap. Not sure how many leaps it is going to do.

Unusual. Let’s hope it’s of some value and not just a Japanese exercise in “cuteness”.

Bubblecar said:

Unusual. Let’s hope it’s of some value and not just a Japanese exercise in “cuteness”.

IDK about the rolly boi but the Hopper idea could have potential. I some cases might be easier than trying to drive over rough terrain.

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

Unusual. Let’s hope it’s of some value and not just a Japanese exercise in “cuteness”.

IDK about the rolly boi but the Hopper idea could have potential. I some cases might be easier than trying to drive over rough terrain.

The Philae lander of the Rosetta spacecraft at Churyumov–Gerasimenko was designed as a hopper.

It failed because it hopped too much. It didn’t lock in position on touchdown and hopped itself into the shade at which point its solar powered battery went flat.

I’ve just realised my mistake in the subject line. What a palooka.

Anyway, it appears to have landed successfully but the solar panels were awkwardly situated so it is going to take a few days to charge up and get active.