Biswabrata Goswami
KOLKATA, 25 AUG: The world stands in awe as India’s Chandrayaan 3 triumphantly achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing its lander, Vikram, and rover, Pragyan, on the enigmatic surface of the Moon’s south pole. However, as the mission unfolds, intriguing questions about the lunar night’s impact on the lander’s durability have come to the forefront.
After a nail-biting descent and a picture-perfect landing on the lunar surface, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faces a daunting challenge: sustaining Vikram and Pragyan during the 14-day lunar night that follows. This period, equivalent to one lunar day, plunges the moon into frigid darkness, with temperatures plummeting to a staggering -208 degrees Fahrenheit or -133 degrees Celsius.

The reliance of Vikram and Pragyan on solar energy for operation becomes a critical concern during the lunar night. As the sun dips below the horizon, the solar-powered lander and rover are expected to slow down significantly, and the extreme cold poses a formidable obstacle to their smooth functioning. This raises concerns about the feasibility of sustaining their operations and the potential financial and resource costs involved.
Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman of ISRO, expressed cautious optimism, stating, “While we recognize the challenges posed by the lunar night’s harsh conditions, our engineers and scientists have designed Vikram and Pragyan to endure a range of lunar environments. We are actively exploring strategies to maintain their functionality during this challenging phase.”
The strategic landing date of August 23 marked the beginning of the lunar day cycle, an achievement in itself. However, ISRO had wisely formulated a contingency plan to tackle any unforeseen hurdles. The backup landing date of August 24 was in place, showcasing the agency’s meticulous planning and readiness.
The lunar night poses a unique scenario for Vikram and Pragyan. The lander and rover will remain in contact during this period, serving as a relay station for transmitting data back to ISRO’s mission command center. Nevertheless, due to the absence of direct sunlight, direct communication with the rover may not be feasible during these two weeks of darkness.
Enthusiasts within the scientific community have sparked an intriguing debate about the future of Vikram and Pragyan. Some assert that these remarkable achievements of human engineering are destined to become fixtures of the lunar landscape. The propulsion module, lander, and rover might not return to Earth but instead contribute to the Moon’s growing portfolio of human-made artifacts.
As the moon’s south pole continues to captivate the world’s attention, ISRO’s scientists remain steadfast in their determination to overcome the challenges posed by the lunar night. While the road ahead is uncertain, hope remains that when the sun once again graces the moon’s surface, Vikram and Pragyan will spring back to life, continuing their exploration of the lunar terrain and unraveling the mysteries that lie beneath.
For further updates on Chandrayaan 3 and its lunar exploration mission, stay tuned with us.
Tags: #Chandrayaan3 #Pragyan #Vikram #LunarExploration #India
Courtesy: Graphic Image@The Statesman