Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
As the Sun is set to rise on the Moon for next fifteen days, ISRO's dedicated scientists are tirelessly working to restart the Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander and Pragyan rover from their 15-day-long dormant state. In their determined efforts, the scientists are planning to execute a crucial 'reboot' of the modules on Thursday and Friday
ISRO's team is holding onto hope that the Sun will illuminate the Shivshakti Point, the location where the lander and rover are stationed. According to ISRO Chairman S Somanath, as soon as the Sun rises, the equipment is expected to spring back to life, if not destroyed by the harsh temperatures of the lunar night
The endeavour to rejuvenate these instruments is scheduled for September 22, timed to coincide with the lunar dawn. Expressing cautious optimism, ISRO Chief S. Somanath said, “We can only hope to see the equipment back to life on September 22.” The restart procedure will only take place after required heat and temperature is generated on the equipments after the Sun has risen
As per ISRO scientists, a methodical approach was adopted to prepare the equipment onboard Vikram and Pragyan for the lunar nightfall. This carefully orchestrated process commenced on September 2, leading up to the lunar sunset. Notably, the modules' batteries, reliant on solar power, were intentionally maintained in a charged state. Furthermore, the orientation of the solar panels was adjusted to ensure they captured the first light at dawn
The primary obstacle that 'Pragyan and Vikram' face is the daunting task of reactivation after enduring the bone-chilling temperatures plummeting to -200 degrees Celsius on the lunar surface. Should the onboard instruments successfully withstand these extreme cold conditions on the Moon, there is potential for the modules to reawaken and resume their critical mission of transmitting data from the Moon for the ensuing fourteen days
With the fate of the lunar lander and rover hinging on their survival through the lunar night, attention will turn to the exploration of a tantalising possibility on September 22: the presence of hydrogen on the lunar surface. Uncovering hydrogen could revolutionise space travel and exploration beyond our terrestrial boundaries
Hydrogen, if found, holds immense promise as a versatile resource. It can serve as a potent fuel and, when paired with oxygen, becomes a propellant for rockets. This discovery could potentially alleviate the challenges of transporting fuel from Earth, a costly and logistically complex endeavour
Credit: NASA
Crucially, hydrogen is an elemental component of water (H2O). Should hydrogen be detected on the Moon, it can be combined with the lunar oxygen found in oxide forms to generate water. This newfound source of water is essential for sustaining human life, supporting activities such as drinking, irrigation, and oxygen production
If Vikram lander and Pragyan rover are awakened in full working order, they will have the capacity to operate for an additional 14 Earth days. This extended operational period promises to enhance the scientific data and observations that have been consistently relayed to ground stations, further enriching our understanding of lunar phenomena