Japan’s inaugural moon lander has responded to a signal from Earth, indicating its survival through a second freezing lunar night lasting weeks, as reported by Japan’s space agency (JAXA) on Monday.

JAXA characterized the received signal, late on Sunday night, as a “miracle” since the probe, named Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), was not designed to endure the lunar night’s extreme temperatures, which can plummet to minus 170 degrees Celsius (minus 274 degrees Fahrenheit).

SLIM achieved a precise landing on January 20, marking Japan as the fifth country to successfully deploy a probe on the moon.

However, the probe touched down upside down, initially obstructing its solar panels from sunlight, leading to their deactivation within hours, ABC News reported.

On the eighth day post-landing, SLIM regained power as it received sunlight. Over several days, the probe collected geological data from lunar rocks before entering hibernation in late January to endure another lunar night.

JAXA noted that the communication on Sunday was brief as it was still “lunar midday,” and SLIM’s temperature was exceptionally high, around 100 degrees Celsius (212 Fahrenheit).

The space agency is preparing for further contact after the vehicle has cooled.

Scientists aim to uncover insights into the moon’s origin by comparing the mineral compositions of lunar rocks with those of Earth.

Written by B.C. Begley