In a historic leap for India’s space exploration, the lunar rover Pragyan has made its initial entry into the lunar terrain, a day after India achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first country to land near the moon’s south pole. The rover of the Chandrayaan-3 mission gracefully touched down on the lander and embarked on its lunar journey, marking India’s triumphant progress on the lunar landscape.
India joins an exclusive lunar club:
This significant achievement places India in an elite group of countries that have successfully landed on the Moon after the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China. The Vikram lander successfully landed as planned, setting the stage for India’s entry into this elite lunar exploration club.
Photo Source: ISRO
Moonwalk of Pragyan:
Weighing 26 kg, the rover named Pragyan, which means “wisdom” in Sanskrit, was housed inside the Vikram lander during its journey to the Moon. After a smooth landing, Vikram’s panels opened, opening a ramp, allowing Pragyan to gracefully descend to the lunar surface. Tasked with gathering critical data and imagery, Pragyan will navigate the rocky lunar landscape and provide insights for further analysis back on Earth.
Uncovering the Lunar Mysteries
Equipped with two scientific instruments, Pragyaan’s mission is to uncover the mineralogical composition of the lunar surface and explore the chemical properties of the soil. Communication will be fully established with the lander, which will relay the information to the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, which is still orbiting the moon, for final transmission to Earth for comprehensive analysis.
A Lunar Journey with Purpose
As Pragyan begins its lunar journey at a speed of 1 cm per second, its wheels will imprint the logo and emblem of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on the lunar surface. The timing of the landing aligns with the beginning of the lunar day, giving the lander and rover 14 days of uninterrupted sunlight for battery charging. However, the question remains whether they will be reactivated during the next lunar day.
Discovery of Lunar Water:
Chandrayaan-3’s focus includes the search for water at the moon’s south pole, which is believed to contain ice within continuously shadowed craters. The discovery could pave the way for future human habitation and even supply spacecraft to distant destinations such as Mars.
Pioneering Journey of India:
As soon as the lander achieved its soft landing, India celebrated a historic moment, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that “India is now on the Moon. The successful landing is a remarkable achievement for India’s space program, with ISRO’s sustained efforts contributing to the advancement of lunar exploration.
A Lunar Future with Global Interests
India’s progress on the lunar surface is part of a global trend as various countries prepare for lunar exploration missions. The mysterious nature of the moon continues to puzzle scientists, positioning it as a gateway to the mysteries of deep space.
Conclusion: Marking a watershed moment in lunar exploration
The achievement of Chandrayaan-3 underscores India’s commitment to space exploration and technological advancement. As Pragyan embarks on its lunar exploration journey, it symbolizes the country’s progress towards understanding the mysteries of the moon and its role as a step in the wider expanse of the universe. This historic step not only shows India’s prowess in space science but also signals the beginning of a new era in lunar exploration.
