SOURCE: AFI
In a remarkable milestone for India’s space exploration endeavors, the Pragyan rover, an integral component of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, has successfully captured a striking image of the Vikram lander standing resolute on the lunar surface. This image, hailed as the “image of the mission,” has been met with enthusiasm and admiration from scientists and space enthusiasts alike.
The iconic image was taken by the Navigation Camera (NavCam) aboard the Pragyan rover. These NavCams, developed by the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS) in Bengaluru, play a pivotal role in the mission’s success. Serving as the rover’s “eyes,” the NavCams facilitate real-time navigation through the intricate lunar landscape. They contribute significantly to path planning and obstacle avoidance, ensuring the rover’s safe traversal across the Moon’s challenging terrain.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, an endeavor spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been making remarkable strides since its momentous soft landing on the Moon’s surface on August 23, 2023. With this achievement, India has proudly joined the elite group of nations that have successfully executed a soft landing on the lunar landscape.
Both the Pragyan rover and the Vikram lander have been diligently working in tandem to gather invaluable scientific data. The rover, equipped with sophisticated scientific payloads, carries the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS). These cutting-edge instruments are designed to meticulously analyze the elemental and mineralogical composition of the lunar soil and rocks, unraveling the mysteries of the Moon’s geological history.