After the short journey of the Pragyan rover, it seemed that the Chandrayaan-3 mission had come to an end. However, the Indian lunar spacecraft Vikram has once again extended its cosmic journey, astonishing the world with a new thrilling maneuver. After successfully landing on the Moon in August, this spacecraft executed an extraordinary maneuver.
According to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Vikram ascended to a height of 40 cm above the lunar surface, then moved laterally, landing again at a distance of approximately 30 cm from its initial landing spot. This remarkable maneuver was captured on video and published by ISRO.
“Vikram has once again made a soft landing on the Moon!” ISRO joyfully announced. This indicates the great success and skill of Indian space engineers.
https://twitter.com/intent/follow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1698570774385205621%7Ctwgr%5E97514f8d4f15c1b58b03c901ef821a726c829d5f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Funiversemagazine.com%2Faparat-vikram-zdijsnyv-zahoplyuyuchyj-tryuk-na-misyaczi-video%2F&screen_name=isro
Vikram accomplished this exciting feat just a few weeks after it successfully deployed the six-wheeled rover Pragyan on the lunar surface, which began exploring the surrounding terrain in search of signs of water ice.
ISRO reported that all systems of the spacecraft are functioning normally and without interruption, highlighting the high professionalism of Indian space scientists.
This impressive achievement took place as Vikram was preparing to hibernate alongside the rover. It is expected that both spacecraft will spend two weeks in sleep mode until the Sun rises over the Moon. However, on September 22, 2023, their solar panels will run out of power. Therefore, ISRO engineers hope that both spacecraft will survive the lunar night, where temperatures can drop to -170 degrees Celsius. The success of this awakening will determine the future of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
“We hope for a successful awakening for a new set of tasks!” ISRO wrote, expressing hope for the mission’s continued success. Otherwise, Vikram may become India’s eternal lunar embassy, remaining on Earth’s satellite forever.
Earlier, we reported on how the landing module of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was spotted from orbit.
