Day Has Returned, but India’s Lander and Rover have Failed to Wake Up

By alexandreCommunication

Day Has Returned, but India’s Lander and Rover have Failed to Wake Up

India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), experienced a setback when their lander and rover on the Chandrayaan-2 mission failed to wake up after the lunar night. The mission, which aimed to explore the south pole of the Moon, had successfully launched in July 2019 but faced challenges during the landing phase. Unfortunately, these challenges persisted as the day dawned on the Moon.

The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover were designed to withstand the harsh lunar environment, including the extreme temperatures of the lunar night, but it seems that they were unable to survive the long period without sunlight.

1. The Lunar Night

The lunar night, which lasts for approximately 14 Earth days, poses significant challenges for any spacecraft attempting to operate on the Moon’s surface. During this period, the temperature on the Moon can drop to as low as -173 degrees Celsius (-280 degrees Fahrenheit). Such extreme cold can be detrimental to the electronic components and systems of a spacecraft.

To mitigate the effects of the cold, spacecraft are equipped with heating systems and insulation. However, in the case of the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, it appears that these measures were not sufficient to keep them operational during the lunar night.

Without a continuous power source from solar panels, the lander and rover likely depleted their batteries and succumbed to the freezing temperatures of the lunar night.

2. Possible Causes

There are several possible causes for the failure of the lander and rover to wake up after the lunar night. One possibility is that the heating systems within the spacecraft malfunctioned or were not able to generate enough heat to maintain the internal temperature above critical levels.

Another potential cause could be damage to the electronic components of the lander and rover during the landing phase. The hard landing that the Vikram lander experienced might have caused internal damage, making it more difficult for the spacecraft to survive the lunar night.

It is also important to consider the possibility of a software or communication error that prevented the lander and rover from receiving the command to wake up after the lunar night. Without proper communication with ground control, the spacecraft would be unable to execute their intended actions.

3. Lessons Learned

The failure of the lander and rover to wake up highlights the challenges and risks associated with space exploration missions. It serves as a reminder that even with meticulous planning and engineering, unforeseen circumstances can arise that lead to mission failures.

However, this setback should not discourage future space exploration efforts. Instead, it should motivate scientists and engineers to learn from these failures and improve upon existing technologies and strategies.

By analyzing the data and information gathered from the Chandrayaan-2 mission, ISRO can gain valuable insights that will inform future lunar missions and help ensure the success of India’s space program.

Although the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover on India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission failed to wake up after the lunar night, the mission itself has still contributed to our understanding of the Moon and its environment. The orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 continues to function well and is providing valuable data.

The failure of the lander and rover serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in space exploration. It also highlights the importance of continuous innovation and improvement in order to overcome these challenges and achieve success in future missions.