Isro, India's space research agency, announced that the country's lunar lander and rover have been put to rest as the Moon's Sun begins to set.
According to the statement, they have been placed in "sleep mode" and will fall asleep next to one another once the solar power and battery are depleted.
Isro added that it anticipated they would awaken "around 22 September" when the next lunar day begins. The lander and rover require sunlight for battery charging and operation.
On August 23, the Vikram lander hauling the Pragyaan rover touched down at the Moon's south pole, which has been little explored.
India became the first nation to land close to the south pole of the moon. After the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China, it also achieved a soft landing on the Moon, joining an exclusive society of nations.
The Indian space agency has been providing regular updates on the movements and findings of the lander and rover, as well as sharing images captured by them.
Isro stated that after the Chandrayaan-3 mission's lander was "commanded to fire its engines," it rose approximately 40 centimeters (16 inches) and landed 30 to 40 centimeters away.
The landing of Chandrayaan-3 was meticulously scheduled to coincide with the beginning of a lunar day, which is roughly equivalent to four weeks on Earth.
According to Isro, the lander and rover would have 14 days of sunlight to charge their batteries and operate. It has now been determined that both have finished all of their assignments.
Initially, Isro stated that the lander and rover would cease functioning when twilight fell, which is equivalent to two weeks on Earth. However, scientists believe that it is possible for them to return to life when the next lunar day begins. For example, China's Chang'e4 lander and Yutu2 rover awoke multiple times with the dawn.
So, in the hope that Vikram and Pragyaan would also awaken when a new day begins, Isro officials have prepared them for the night by fully charging their batteries and turning off all of their scientific instruments; they are now "safely parked in sleep mode."
Former Isro chief Kiran Kumar told the sources that nightfall was still a few days away, but that the lander and rover needed to be prepared immediately.
The rover, he explained, may be at a disadvantage due to its small size and the presence of numerous craters with elevated rims that can obstruct sunlight in the south pole region. In addition, the setting sun can prolong these shadows, placing the rover in a region of darkness.
The lander and rover have been prepared for when the sun rises once more. So that they are placed in the proper location and solar orientation.
When the Sun rises again, the solar panels will be oriented in its direction so they can absorb radiation, generate electricity, and feed the system to bring it back to life.
Mr. Kumar explains that a successful awakening is not assured. Isro has also attempted to moderate anticipations. The battery is charged to capacity. The solar panel is oriented so that it will receive sunlight at the upcoming sunrise. The receiver remains active. Otherwise, it will remain there eternally as India's lunar ambassador.
