Experts from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have reported that the Vikram lander, part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, has entered a sleep phase after its dramatic August touchdown on the lunar surface. The team indicated that the lander would be temporarily dormant as a precaution while solar power is unavailable and the onboard battery begins to deplete. The plan is to reactivate Vikram when sunlight returns and the solar panels can recharge the system, with a targeted restart around September 22, once the Sun again bathes the lunar surface in energy. This pause is a routine safeguard used during periods of low power, allowing the spacecraft to conserve energy and protect its critical systems until reawakening conditions are favorable. (Source: ISRO)
Mission Chandrayaan-3 has a clear sequence: Vikram, designed to anchor the lander on the Moon, and Pragyan, the miniature rover carried aboard for surface exploration, operate in close coordination. The latest official communications confirm that both Vikram and Pragyan will resume activity together when solar power is sufficient to sustain operations. The two components are positioned in proximity, with Pragyan serving as a surface scout and data collector while Vikram maintains the link with the main mission bus and supports rover operations. The preparation for a future operational window is driven by the solar exposure cycle, ensuring a controlled reactivation aligned with the lunar day. (Source: ISRO)
On August 23, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 successfully placed Vikram on the Moon and delivered Pragyan to the surface. ISRO also released imagery showing Vikram from a side perspective with Pragyan nearby, giving observers a sense of scale. Given that Pragyan is a compact rover, its height is well under one meter, underscoring the mission’s careful design for reliable surface mobility in the harsh lunar environment. These visual updates accompany the ongoing mission briefing, emphasizing the coordinated architecture of the lander-rover system and the engineering choices that make such deployments feasible. (Source: ISRO)
India’s recent lunar endeavor continues to mark a notable milestone in space exploration, reinforcing the country’s growing capabilities in deep-space missions. The Chandrayaan-3 project demonstrates how a small but sophisticated lander and a compact rover can work in tandem to extend scientific inquiry on the Moon. As the solar-powered systems cycle through a period of dormancy, engineers at ISRO monitor power trends and plan for a timely revival, keeping the mission on track for future data gathering and potential discoveries within the illuminated segments of the lunar day. (Source: ISRO)