Chandrayaan-3 Mission: No Signal from Lander Vikram and Rover Pragyan

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently announced that it has not received any signals from the Chandrayaan-3 mission's Vikram lander and Pragyan rover after the lunar sunrise. This is a significant setback for ISRO, as it indicates that the mission instruments may not have survived the lunar night. In this article, we will delve deeper into the details of the mission, the challenges faced by the lander and rover, and the implications of this development.

The Chandrayaan-3 Mission

The Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched by ISRO with the aim of further exploring the lunar surface. It consisted of two modules - the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover. These modules were designed to operate for one lunar day, which is approximately 14 Earth days, as they rely on solar power. The primary objective of the mission was to carry out scientific experiments and gather data to enhance our understanding of the Moon.

The Lunar Night Challenge

One of the major challenges faced by the Chandrayaan-3 mission was the extreme nighttime conditions on the Moon. The temperature near the lunar south pole, where the lander and rover were located, drops to well below minus 200 degrees Celsius during the lunar night. This posed a significant risk to the mission's instruments, as they were not designed to withstand such extreme cold temperatures.

The Hopes of Survival

Despite the challenges, ISRO decided to take a chance and try to extend the lifespan of the lander and rover. Before the lunar sunset, all operations of the instruments were shut down, and they were put into sleep mode. The hope was that if the batteries were fully charged, they might be able to keep the instruments warm enough to survive the night. However, it seems that this strategy did not yield the desired results, as no signals have been received from the modules after the lunar sunrise.

The Lack of Nuclear Battery

Unlike some other spacecraft, such as Russia's Luna-25 mission, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover did not have a plutonium radioisotope device, which acts as a nuclear battery. This device generates heat to keep the instruments within an operable temperature range. The absence of such provisions further increased the vulnerability of the Chandrayaan-3 mission to the extreme nighttime conditions on the Moon.

Revival Efforts

ISRO has not given up hope despite the lack of signals from the lander and rover. The space agency is continuing its efforts to establish communication and ascertain the condition of the modules. Ground stations will make attempts to revive the instruments and their on-board instruments in the coming days, although the chances of revival are slim. Even if the lander and rover wake up, there is no guarantee that they will regain full functionality.

Lessons Learned for Future Missions

The setback faced by the Chandrayaan-3 mission serves as a valuable lesson for future lunar missions. It highlights the importance of designing spacecraft that can withstand the extreme environmental conditions on the Moon, especially during the lunar night. The inclusion of provisions such as nuclear batteries or other heat-generating devices can significantly enhance the survivability of instruments and increase the chances of mission success.

Implications for ISRO

The lack of signals from the Chandrayaan-3 mission is undoubtedly disappointing for ISRO. However, setbacks are an inherent part of space exploration, and they provide valuable insights and opportunities for improvement. ISRO can use this experience to further refine its technologies and strategies for future lunar missions. The knowledge gained from this mission will contribute to the advancement of India's space program and enhance its capabilities in exploring the Moon and beyond.

Conclusion

The absence of signals from the Chandrayaan-3 mission's Vikram lander and Pragyan rover after the lunar sunrise is a significant setback for ISRO. It indicates that the mission instruments may not have survived the extreme nighttime conditions on the Moon. Despite this setback, ISRO remains committed to its mission and will continue its efforts to establish communication with the modules. The lessons learned from this experience will undoubtedly contribute to the success of future lunar missions and further advance India's space exploration capabilities.