NEW DELHI: In a recent update, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief, S Somanath, revealed that Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander is peacefully resting on the Moon, having fulfilled its mission exceptionally well. While there have been no signals from the lander, ISRO continues its efforts to reestablish contact, though the chances of revival seem unlikely.
The Vikram lander played a crucial role during the lunar day, which is equivalent to 14 Earth days. It executed its functions as planned, and ISRO lauds its performance during this period. Following the onset of the lunar night, which prompted the lander's transition into sleep mode, ISRO made multiple attempts to reestablish communication with both the rover Pragyan and the Vikram lander.
After the historic landing on August 23, the lander Vikram and rover Pragyan conducted a range of tasks on the lunar surface, including detecting the presence of sulfur and recording relative temperature data.
S Somanath also provided an update on ISRO's maiden mission to study the Sun, the Aditya L1 spacecraft. He reported that the spacecraft remains in excellent health and is on course during its 110-day journey to Lagrange Point L1. The Aditya L1 mission is expected to reach its destination by the middle of January. ISRO has carefully corrected its trajectory to ensure it stays on the right path toward the Lagrange Point L1. This mission represents a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavors, as it aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun's behavior and its impact on Earth.
Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander is currently in a dormant state on the Moon, and while communication efforts persist, it may not be reactivated. ISRO remains committed to lunar exploration and is making progress in its mission to study the Sun with Aditya L1, a spacecraft that is on track to reach its destination early next year.
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