Why will India's Chandrayaan-3 mission end in the next 7 days
The mission's primary objective was to achieve a soft landing on the moon, explore the lunar surface, and collect invaluable scientific data.
Lander Vikram standing on the surface of the Moon. This is a processed image. (Photo: Isro/@rocketgyan)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 30, 2023 15:58 IST
In Short
- The mission's primary objective was to achieve a soft landing
- One of the major goals of Chandrayaan-3 was to hunt for water
- Pragyan has been analysing the lunar soil
India's ambitious lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, is set to conclude its operations in the next seven days.
The mission, which has been a technological challenge undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and successfully landed on the moon's south pole on August 23.
The mission's primary objective was to achieve a soft landing on the moon, explore the lunar surface, and collect invaluable scientific data.
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One of the major goals of Chandrayaan-3 was to hunt for water, as scientists believe that the huge craters in the south polar region, which are permanently in shadow, hold ice that could support human habitation on the Moon in the future.
The Pragyan rover, named after the Sanskrit word for "wisdom," has been conducting a series of experiments on the lunar surface since its deployment from the Vikram lander.
It has been analyzing the lunar soil and collecting data to better understand the composition of the moon. However, with the onset of the lunar night, the rover will cease operations, marking the end of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
However, the mission is set to end soon.
WHY WILL IT END SO SOON?
The mission will come to an end due to the lunar night, a period when the surface of the moon is not exposed to the sun.
This phenomenon lasts about 14 Earth days, equivalent to one lunar day. During this time, the region goes dark, making it impossible for the solar-powered Pragyan rover to operate.
The lunar night is a result of the moon's rotation, which lasts about 28 days on Earth. For half of this period, the moon's surface is exposed to the sun, while for the other half, it is in darkness. This cycle is similar to the pattern of daylight hours on Earth, which is higher in the summer and lower in the winter due to the tilt of Earth's axis.
Despite the impending end of the mission, Chandrayaan-3 has been a significant achievement for India. It has demonstrated the country's capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface, making India the fourth country to successfully land on the Moon.
The mission has also sparked global interest, with many countries and private companies keen on exploring the moon's South Pole region due to its potential resources.
