Chandrayaan-3 Successfully Lands on Moon’s South Pole
In a historic achievement for India’s space program, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has successfully landed on the moon’s south pole. The mission, which was launched on July 14, aimed to explore this uncharted region of the moon and gather vital information about its composition.
On the evening of August 23, the spacecraft was successfully pushed into the moon’s gravity and touched down on the lunar surface. Subsequently, the Pragyaan rover, equipped with advanced instruments, began its mission to uncover the secrets of the moon’s south pole.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the Pragyaan rover is currently examining the composition of the moon’s soil and conducting a survey of the area. In a remarkable gesture of transparency, ISRO released a video showing the rover in action as it navigates and collects data.
At the ISRO Control Center in Bangalore, scientists closely monitored the rover’s activities and the information it transmitted back to Earth. According to ISRO, the Pragyaan rover successfully completed its mission and has now entered sleep mode. Its battery is fully charged, and it will remain in this state until September 22, awaiting the next sunrise to power up its solar panels.
If sunlight is absent, the rover will remain in a deep sleep, becoming India’s permanent ambassador on the moon. ISRO also announced that the Vikram lander, which carried the rover, is currently in sleep mode but is expected to resume operations alongside the Pragyaan rover on September 22.
In another exciting development, ISRO has released a three-dimensional (3D) photograph of the lunar surface captured by the Pragyaan rover. This image, taken from different angles, allows viewers to observe the moon’s surface with depth and clarity, providing valuable insights into its topography.
The successful landing and operations of the Chandrayaan-3 mission represent a significant milestone for India’s space program. ISRO’s dedication and expertise have brought India one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of the moon and expanding our understanding of the universe.