The prospects for recovery are somewhat uncertain, leaning towards the lower side of optimism, yet not entirely devoid of hope. There exists a possibility that the lander or rover module could awaken, albeit potentially with limitations in regaining full functionality.
As the Moon welcomed a new day on Wednesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to make an attempt to rouse the slumbering lander and rover modules of the Chandrayaan-3 mission in the exceptionally cold lunar environment.
An ISRO representative mentioned that ground stations will endeavor to revive the lander and rover modules, along with their onboard instruments, on either Thursday or Friday when they can benefit from optimal sunlight.
While the prospects of reactivation are not overly promising, the situation is not entirely devoid of hope. There remains a possibility that the lander or rover module may be reawaken, albeit potentially with limited functionality.
The Chandrayaan-3 modules, powered by solar energy, were originally designed for a mission duration of only one lunar day, roughly equivalent to approximately 14 Earth days. Unfortunately, their electronic components were not engineered to endure the exceptionally frigid nighttime temperatures on the Moon, which plummet to well below -200 degrees Celsius in the vicinity of the mission’s landing site near the lunar south pole.
Typically, spacecraft designed to endure the lunar night are equipped with onboard heating mechanisms. For instance, Russia’s Luna-25, despite its failure to land on the Moon, was equipped with such a system. However, Chandrayaan-3 was originally intended to operate only for a single lunar day.
Nevertheless, after accomplishing its primary scientific objectives, ISRO decided to take a calculated risk by attempting to prolong the operational life of the lander and rover. As part of this strategy, ISRO concluded the operations of all instruments slightly ahead of sunset and placed them in sleep mode. The hope was that the fully charged batteries would maintain sufficient warmth to ensure the survival of the instruments throughout the lunar night.
Should the lander and rover awaken in optimal condition, they have the potential to remain operational for at least an additional 14 Earth days. This extension would contribute to the enrichment of scientific data and observations transmitted to ground stations. Chandrayaan-3 has already amassed intriguing new insights about the Moon, encompassing details about its composition and environment. Notably, the mission has produced a groundbreaking temperature profile of the lunar surface near the South Pole, thanks to the CHaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) instrument, marking a significant scientific achievement.
In an unexpected move, the lander module was engaged in a ‘hop experiment’ just before entering sleep mode. During this experiment, the lander executed a controlled jump, elevating itself approximately 40 cm from the lunar surface, and subsequently landing safely about 30-40 cm away from its initial location. Despite its modest scale, this hop experiment served as a demonstration of ISRO’s proficiency in igniting the lander’s engines and generating the necessary thrust for liftoff.
This capability holds significant importance for future missions, particularly those that may entail the lander’s return to Earth with lunar samples.
