INDIA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making an ambitious attempt to resurrect the Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander and Pragyan rover after a 15-day period of hibernation.
With a ‘reboot’ operation scheduled for today and tomorrow, ISRO scientists are working tirelessly to ensure the success of this groundbreaking mission extension.
The key to this endeavor lies in the lunar dawn, where the Sun is set to rise over the Moon’s surface for the next fifteen days. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath expressed the hope that the Sun’s rays would provide the vital energy needed to bring the lander and rover back to life.
The process of putting the equipment onboard Vikram and Pragyan to sleep began on September 2, as a precautionary measure to conserve energy during the lunar night.
However, the batteries of these modules, reliant on solar power, were kept charged during this slumber, and the solar panels were carefully oriented to capture the first light of dawn.
Yet, the challenge that now confronts ‘Pragyan and Vikram’ is nothing short of monumental—surviving the bone-chilling -200 degrees Celsius temperatures that grip the lunar landscape.
If these onboard instruments can brave the unforgiving cold, there’s a chance that the modules will spring back to life, reigniting their mission to explore and transmit data from Earth’s celestial neighbor.
Should all go according to plan, the rover will be commanded to commence its exploration, followed by a repeat procedure for the lander module.
This ambitious attempt holds the potential to extend the mission’s lifespan by an additional fourteen days, opening up exciting possibilities for lunar research and exploration.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission has already been deemed a resounding success, but the endeavor to reawaken ‘Vikram and Pragyan’ could propel it into the annals of space exploration history.
Scientists and space enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting the results of this audacious undertaking, which could reveal more secrets about our nearest celestial neighbor, the Moon.
Also Read: Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander Detects Natural Seismic Activity on Lunar Surface
