Will the Vikram Lander survive long lunar night? Know the latest on Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission

Photo Credit: ISRO

Is the Vikram Lander equipped with the right instruments to survive the harsh Moon night conditions? Know when will the Lander wake from sleep mode. Check latest on ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Photo Credit: ISRO

Chandrayaan-3 lander made a successful landing on the Moon's surface on August 23, 2023, The landing by the Vikram Lander was not only a big achievement for ISRO, but also added to new discoveries.

Photo Credit: ISRO

After 14 days of study, the Vikram lander and the Prayan rover were put in sleep mode so they could survive the long lunar night.

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ISRO reported that if everything goes well, the Pragyan rover and Vikram lander will be up and running on September 22, when the sunrise will return on Moon’s south pole.

Photo Credit: ISRO

However, experts believe that it will be a big challenge for ISRO as the lander will have to survive the intense cold, which dips to -200 degrees Celsius. 

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According to a Space.com report, space missions should be equipped with radioisotope heater units (RHUs) which enable the mission to survive the severe cold.

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The role of RHUs is to generate the required amount of heat, which helps in maintaining the spacecraft's hardware at sustainable operating temperatures.

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These RHUs are not available in the Chandrayaan-3 mission which makes it difficult for the mission in the absence of sunlight. However, hope is very much there. 

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Awake or not, the Vikram lander and rover have made immense discoveries that prove the potential of the Indian scientist.

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This also means after a successful mission we can again land on with more instruments to unfold more mysteries about the lunar surface.

Photo Credit: ISRO

The ISRO scientists are waiting for the lunar sunrise which is expected to happen on September 22, 2023 and that is when scientists will look to revive both Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover.