Former ISRO Scientist Optimistic About Reviving Pragyan Rover and Locating Vikram Lander

There is a glimmer of hope as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) endeavors to revive the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover of Chandrayaan-3, which have been in a dormant state for almost two weeks. Mylswamy Annadurai, a former ISRO scientist and recipient of the Padma Shri award, sheds light on the challenging circumstances surrounding the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

The cute dog-sized Pragyan driver may well come into action. “I am quite hopeful about Pragyan as it has been tested. But as far as Lander is concerned, we have to wait and see,” Mylswamy Annadurai, former ISRO scientist.

Nilesh M Desai, director of the Space Applications Center (SAC), a major division of ISRO, revealed that the recovery of the lander and rover is an automatic process and cannot be activated remotely from Earth. The solar-powered spacecraft is expected to transmit signals when fully charged due to the recent moonrise on September 22. However, no signal has been received so far and attempts are being made to restore contact with Vikram and Pragyan. .

Desai further explained, “Trying to contact Lander and Rover. It’s auto-reviving and sending signals. So far no signals.”

Both the Vikarm lander and the Pragyan rover were put into sleep mode on September 4 and 2 in preparation for a lunar night on Earth’s natural satellite. Desai stated that there is a 50-50 chance of recovery success depending on the spacecraft’s electronics surviving the freezing temperatures of the Moon. He added, “Otherwise, the Chandrayaan-3 mission has already achieved its objective.” If the lander and the rover wake up, the experiments on the lunar surface will continue.

Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram made a historic touchdown at the uncharted South Pole of the Moon on August 23 after a 40-day journey into space. After traveling more than 100 meters on the lunar surface from the Shiv Shakti point where it initially touched down, the rover Pragyan was safely put to rest on September 2. In fact, Vikram even did a “jump” test on the Moon successfully and the lessons learned will be used in future lunar missions.

In short, as the world watches and hopes for the successful recovery of the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover, ISRO remains committed to its mission of exploring the mysteries of the moon and beyond.