In the world of space exploration, thrilling news is on the horizon as the Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover of Chandrayaan-3 prepare to reawaken after their slumber that began on September 4th. The lunar dawn broke on September 21, 2023, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated event. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to re-establish communication with these lunar explorers on September 22, ushering in a new phase of scientific discovery.
ISRO’s Ambitious Revival Effort
ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) Director, Nilesh Desai, expressed optimism about this ambitious revival mission, stating, “We’ll be trying to revive both the lander as well as the rover on 22nd September, and if our luck is good, we will have a revival of both this lander and rover and we’ll get some more experimental data which will be useful for us to further do the investigation of the Moon surface,” as reported by media.
#WATCH | Anand, Gujarat: On Chandrayaan-3, Director of Space Applications Centre, Nilesh Desai says, “…Earlier we planned to reactivate the (Pragyan) rover and (Vikram) lander on the evening of 22nd September, but due to some reasons we will now do it tomorrow on 23rd… pic.twitter.com/bvFTkXpNjZ
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2023
#WATCH | On Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover, former ISRO Chairman K Sivan says, “We have to wait and see. It has undergone a lunar night. Now the lunar day starts. So, now they will try to wake up. If all the systems are functioning, it will be alright…This is not the end, a… pic.twitter.com/le3hpbMGcd
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2023
Chandrayaan-3 Mission: A Brief Overview
On September 2nd, ISRO provided an update on its social media platform regarding the Chandrayaan-3 Mission. The Rover had successfully completed its assignments, entering a safe sleep mode. Notably, APXS and LIBS payloads were turned off to conserve power, with data from these instruments transmitted to Earth through the Lander. With a fully charged battery and solar panels poised to capture the next lunar sunrise expected on September 22, 2023, hopes are high for a successful awakening and the commencement of another set of scientific tasks.
Battling Extreme Lunar Conditions
The decision to put Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover to sleep was driven by the need to endure the harsh lunar night, which spans 14 Earth days. Daytime temperatures near the lunar equator soar to a scorching 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120°C, 400 K), while nighttime plunges to a bone-chilling -208 degrees Fahrenheit (-130°C, 140 K), according to NASA. Should the revival mission succeed, Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover will continue their scientific experiments in what many are dubbing “Chandrayaan 3, Phase II.”
Anticipation Builds
Anticipation is mounting across the globe as we await the outcome of this remarkable endeavor. The Indian government and ISRO have even launched the “Chandrayaan-3 Mahaquiz,” a competition designed to raise awareness about India’s lunar mission. Citizens can participate by logging into MyGov, adding an interactive and engaging dimension to this historic mission.
Read more articles
- Chandrayaan-3 India’s Third Lunar Mission: How Long Will It Take to Reach the Moon?
- Chandrayaan 3: India’s Next Moon Mission Set to Take Flight
A Historic Achievement
Chandrayaan-3, launched on July 14, 2023, has already secured India’s position as a leader in global space research. India achieved the distinction of becoming the fourth country to successfully land on the moon, with the added feat of being the first to land near the lunar south pole. If the revival mission proves successful, it will mark yet another historic milestone for both India and ISRO on the global stage.
In conclusion, the world watches with bated breath as Chandrayaan-3’s revival mission unfolds. This extraordinary undertaking promises to unlock new secrets of the lunar surface, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and reaffirming India’s prowess in the realm of space exploration.