Chandrayaan 3
By Aquib Nawab
The successful soft landing of the Vikram lander during Chandrayaan-3 showcases ISRO's significant achievement in the global space exploration race.
The Pragyaan Rover, an engineering marvel, emerges from the Vikram Lander and prepares to conduct in-situ experiments for lunar surface and atmosphere analysis.
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Named "Pragyaan" in Sanskrit, signifying wisdom, the rover's purpose is to gather insights about the lunar surface and atmosphere through careful exploration.
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Designed by ISRO, the Pragyaan Rover weighs 26 kg, features six wheels for versatile terrains, and moves cautiously at a speed of 1 cm per second.
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Equipped with a solar panel for power generation, the rover's operational lifespan is 14 days (one lunar day), supported by a rocker bogie suspension system and independent wheel motors.
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The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) conducts chemical analysis of the lunar surface by bombarding it with alpha particles to determine elemental composition.
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The Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzes the lunar surface by generating laser-induced plasma, allowing identification of elements present.
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The rover's mission includes studying the Moon's thin atmosphere through the day-night cycle, observing atomic interactions and charged particles.
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Pragyaan Rover imprints the Indian flag, ISRO logo, and Lion Capital of Ashoka on the Moon, marking India's presence on the lunar surface.
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