Chandrayaan-3 mission: Vikram lander, Pragyan rover still sleeping, but revival efforts continue

Photo Credit: ISRO

 ISRO chairman S. Somanath talked about the Chandrayaan-3 mission as efforts to revive the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover continue.

Photo Credit: ISRO

After completing its 14-day mission on the Moon, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover were put in sleep mode due to the approaching lunar night.

Photo Credit: ISRO

 Both the landers are not equipped with  Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) which are required to survive extreme cold temperatures on the Moon’s south pole.

Photo Credit: ISRO

ISRO scientists planned to wake Vikram lander and Prayan rover up from their sleep on September 22, 2023, however, no communication has been received.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

ISRO chairman yesterday said, “happily sleeping on the Moon" as “No signals have been received from them. Efforts to establish contact will continue.

Photo Credit: ISRO

He also mentioned that ISRO will continue the efforts to wake the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover up. 

Photo Credit: ISRO

Although the chances for their activation are slim, ISRO is not giving up and they will try to make communication to continue the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Photo Credit: NASA

Somanath further added, “ "Maybe if it wishes to wake up, let it wake up. Until then, we will wait."

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If the landers wake up,  Chandrayaan-3 will look for the presence of ice water on the lunar surface.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

As of now, the South Pole is covered in darkness and is surrounded by extreme cold. Now the landers wait for the next lunar day.