New Delhi, India – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced a delay in its plans to revive the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, extending the suspense of whether these lunar explorers will awaken. Earlier slated for reactivation on September 22, the revival will now take place on September 23, as confirmed by Nilesh Desai, Director of Space Applications Centre.
The mission, known as Chandrayaan-3, made headlines when the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover successfully touched down on the moon’s surface on August 23, precisely at ‘Shiv Shakti Point.’ Subsequently, they were placed into a temporary sleep mode on September 2 and September 4, respectively, after successfully conducting experiments on the lunar terrain.
Despite initial plans for the Pragyan rover to traverse a distance of 300-350 meters, it has covered only 105 meters thus far. Nevertheless, the mission has surpassed expectations, with the Vikram lander accomplishing a historic hop test on the lunar surface, a significant milestone for future lunar and human exploration.
During their active phase, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover conducted vital experiments, with the Pragyan rover’s findings confirming the presence of sulfur (S) in the lunar surface near the south pole. The Vikram lander contributed by conducting groundbreaking measurements of the near-surface lunar plasma environment in the south polar region.
The delay comes as ISRO reported its inability to establish communication with the Vikram lander, adding an element of uncertainty to the reactivation process. However, ISRO remains determined, with Director Nilesh Desai affirming that efforts will persist on Saturday.
The success of the reactivation will determine whether the mission secures an extended lease of life. If the solar panels efficiently harness sunlight to recharge the mission’s batteries, scientists anticipate the opportunity to collect additional lunar samples and continue their exploration of the moon’s surface.
Chandrayaan-3’s journey has already proven its significance, pushing the boundaries of lunar exploration and setting the stage for future missions. ISRO’s steadfast efforts to reawaken the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover demonstrate their commitment to unraveling the moon’s mysteries.
News Summary:
- ISRO has postponed the reactivation of the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover to September 23 due to unforeseen reasons.
- The mission, Chandrayaan-3, made headlines in August when it successfully landed on the moon’s surface.
- The Pragyan rover confirmed the presence of sulfur on the lunar surface near the south pole during its operational phase.
- Despite covering a shorter distance than planned, the mission has exceeded expectations with the Vikram lander completing a hop test on the moon.
- ISRO’s efforts to revive the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover continue, with hopes for an extended lease of life for the mission.