Chandrayaan 3: Lunar Night Approaches at ‘Shiv Shakti' Point
As the lunar night steadily encroaches upon the Moon's south pole, Chandrayaan-3, a historic mission by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), is nearing its grand finale. In this update, we'll explore the fate of the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover as they prepare for a chilly lunar slumber.
Also Read: Pragyan's Detection of Sulphur & Oxygen on Moon's South Pole
Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover – What Lies Ahead?
The primary mission objectives have been triumphantly achieved, with ISRO confirming that the ‘Pragyan' rover has been safely parked after a series of successful operations. Meanwhile, the Vikram lander, dutifully transmitting data to Earth, is also poised to enter sleep mode.
However, the challenge lies in the lunar night's extreme cold, which can plummet to as low as -200 degrees Celsius. The big question on everyone's mind is whether these remarkable devices can endure bone-chilling temperatures and recharge for future endeavors.
Also Read: Rover Pragyan takes a walk on the Moon: ‘Made in India, made for the Moon’
Chandrayaan 3: Achievements So Far
Before we wrap up, let's recap the remarkable achievements of the Chandrayaan-3 mission thus far:
- Successful Landing: Launched on July 14, Chandrayaan-3 landed on the lunar surface on August 23, well within the intended landing site.
- Pragyan Rover's Journey: Before entering sleep mode, the Pragyan rover traversed over 100 meters. Keep in mind that it can only venture up to 500 meters from the Vikram lander before losing communication.
- Historic Discovery: The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument on the rover confirmed the presence of Sulphur (S) near the lunar south pole, marking a groundbreaking in-situ measurement. Other elements like Al, Ca, Fe, Cr, Ti, Mn, Si, and O were also detected.
- Plasma Environment Measurements: The Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe (RAMBHA-LP) payload measured the lunar plasma environment near the south polar region. Initial findings suggest relatively sparse plasma, promising better communication solutions for future lunar missions.
- Seismic Activity Recording: The Instrument for the Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) recorded rover movements and an event of “natural origin” on August 26, currently under investigation.
- Thermal Behavior Exploration: The ChaSTE (Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment) instrument examined the lunar topsoil's temperature profile around the pole, providing valuable insights into the moon's thermal behavior at various depths. This is the first such profile for the lunar south pole.
- Sulphur Discovery Confirmation: Another instrument onboard the rover, the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectroscope (APXS), independently confirmed the presence of sulfur (S) in the region, sparking new theories about its source.
As the lunar night approaches, we eagerly await the possibility of these remarkable instruments awakening to continue their mission. Regardless of the outcome, Chandrayaan-3 has already left an indelible mark on lunar exploration, furthering our understanding of the moon's secrets.
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