After this, Now a series of sequential experiments will be initiated: ISRO Chairman

BENGALURU: In a monumental achievement, the Chandrayaan-3 mission has marked a significant step forward as the rover 'Pragyan' triumphantly disembarked from the lander 'Vikram' and began its journey of lunar exploration. This historic feat was confirmed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), solidifying India's footprint on the moon once again.

Announcing the development via 'X' formerly called as Twitter on Thursday, ISRO stated, "Chandrayaan-3 Rover: 'Made in India - Made for Moon'." The rover 'Pragyan' emerged from the lander 'Vikram', ushering in a new era of lunar scientific investigation. The successful separation of the rover had been earlier affirmed by official sources.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath shared his insights, revealing that the lander 'Vikram' had precisely touched down at the designated site on the lunar surface, eliciting a sense of pride and jubilation across the nation. "The landing site was meticulously chosen, covering an area of 4.5 km by 2.5 km. The lander has splendidly reached its intended destination, landing within a mere 300 meters of the central spot. This achievement underscores our precise planning and execution," Somanath stated.

The landmark event unfolded on Wednesday at 6:04 pm, as the lander 'Vikram' delicately made contact with the lunar terrain. Prior to this triumphant moment, ISRO had unveiled their ingenious plan to launch the 26 kg six-wheeled rover 'Pragyan' from within the lander, using one of its panels as a ramp. The combined weight of the lander and rover amounts to 1,752 kg, and they are geared to function for a single lunar day, equivalent to approximately 14 Earth days, dedicated to comprehensive lunar environmental studies.

The 'Pragyan' rover is poised to undertake surface traverses across the moon, meticulously analyzing its chemical composition. Armed with a suite of scientific payloads, the rover will leverage its 'APXS' instrument to unravel crucial data about the lunar terrain's mineral makeup, thereby deepening our comprehension of the moon's characteristics. An additional significant component carried by 'Pragyan' is the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS). This advanced tool is primed to precisely ascertain the composition of lunar rocks and soil, furnishing researchers with valuable insights into the moon's geological history.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath emphasized, "Once the rover is released from the ramp, a series of sequential experiments will be initiated. The condensed timeframe of just one lunar day, equating to 14 Earth days, will witness the execution of these groundbreaking experiments."