In a historic achievement, the Pragyan rover of Chandrayaan-3, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), successfully covered a distance of 8 meters on the lunar surface. This accomplishment marks a significant step forward in lunar exploration, especially since no other country has managed to reach the Moon's south pole intact.
The journey began with the Pragyan rover unfolding its solar panels to harness power from the sun, a crucial step before embarking on its mission. With all planned rover movements thoroughly verified, the rover's payloads, including the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) and Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), were activated.
Measuring approximately 92cm in length and 75cm in width, Pragyan boasts two spectrometers capable of analyzing the composition of moon rocks and dust. The LIBS is designed to provide qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis, enhancing our understanding of lunar surface characteristics. On the other hand, the APXS aims to determine the elemental composition of lunar soil and rocks near the landing site.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is scheduled to visit ISRO to meet with the Chandrayaan-3 team and ISRO's chief, S Somanath. Following this meeting, the Pragyan rover is anticipated to unfurl the Tricolour (the Indian flag) on the lunar surface in the presence of the Prime Minister, adding a symbolic touch to the mission's success.
The rover's rollout from the lander took place around 10.30pm on Wednesday, about four hours after the successful landing of the lander on the lunar surface. Extensive tests were conducted to assess factors like inclination, temperature, and terrain. Once it was determined that conditions were suitable, the rover was released in the early hours of Thursday morning, at around 1.30am.
ISRO officials confirmed that the rover was powered and operational, with both the LIBS and APXS payloads initiated for data collection. The rover's movement within its observational area was observed on Thursday, and it is expected that initial data will be received once all the payloads are fully operational, which is anticipated to occur by Saturday.
This achievement underscores India's prowess in space exploration and its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. As the Pragyan rover continues its mission, it holds the potential to unlock valuable insights into the composition and characteristics of the lunar surface, contributing to our understanding of the Moon's history and evolution.
