ISRO awaits signal confirmation from Vikram lander as sunlight returns to lunar south pole

• Image Credit: Google

• Sep 22, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is holding its breath as it awaits signal confirmation from the Vikram lander...

Digital Desk: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is holding its breath as it awaits signal confirmation from the Vikram lander, a key component of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. After enduring two weeks of hibernation due to the moon's harsh cold conditions, there is renewed hope as sunlight returns to the lunar south pole region.

Chandrayaan-3 made history on August 23, 2023, when it successfully touched down near the Moon's south pole at a location known as Shiv Shakti Point, situated approximately 600 kilometers from the lunar south pole. This area has garnered significant scientific interest due to the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed regions.

Originally designed for a 14-day mission, the Vikram lander and its companion, the Pragyan rover, had been conducting experiments and studies on the lunar surface. However, the extreme cold and darkness of the Moon's south pole forced them into sleep mode.

With the return of sunlight to the region, ISRO is now hoping to revive the lander and rover. Sunlight is expected to optimally charge their solar panels, offering a chance to re-establish contact. If successful, this would extend the mission's lifespan, allowing for further data collection and exploration.

The revival process entails warming up instruments and charging the batteries with solar heat. ISRO officials are cautiously optimistic about the outcome, as these conditions are crucial for reactivating the system.

During their operational phase, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover achieved several significant milestones. The rover covered over 100 meters on the lunar surface, conducting experiments that detected elements such as sulphur, aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a testament to India's dedication to space exploration and scientific discovery. Successfully reviving the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover would mark yet another milestone in this ambitious lunar mission, underscoring India's growing expertise in the field of space exploration. As the world watches and hopes, ISRO remains steadfast in its efforts to revive these lunar pioneers and unlock more secrets of the Moon's enigmatic south pole.