Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover has been placed into "sleep mode" after successfully completing its lunar assignments. This milestone comes a little over a week after India achieved a historic soft landing on the Moon's south polar region, marking the nation's pioneering achievement in space exploration.
The timing of Chandrayaan-3's lunar touchdown on August 23 was strategically planned to coincide with the start of 14 Earth days of continuous sunlight on the moon. However, a significant challenge awaits as nightfall on the lunar surface is set to occur on September 6. During this lunar night, which lasts for 14 Earth days, the batteries of both the Lander and Rover will be uncharged, with surface temperatures plummeting below -100 degrees Celsius.
Despite the mission's nominal 14-day duration, there is optimism for an extended lease of life if the Rover and Lander's batteries can recharge when the sun re-emerges on the moon's horizon.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) provided an update through X (formerly Twitter), confirming that the Rover has fulfilled its designated tasks and is now securely parked in sleep mode. The instruments, including the APXS and LIBS payloads, have been powered off, and data from these instruments continues to be transmitted to Earth through the Lander.
At present, the battery is fully charged, and the solar panel is aligned to capture sunlight during the upcoming lunar sunrise, expected on September 22, 2023. The receiver remains active, raising hopes for a successful reawakening and the potential for additional assignments. Otherwise, these lunar explorers will continue to serve as India's enduring lunar ambassadors, with their fate yet to be determined.
