Related Topics: Science &Technology, Chandrayaan-2
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- The Vikram lander was to make a historic first soft landing near the moon’s South Pole at 1.55 a.m. on September 7.
- Vikram lost its earth link when it was 1 km and about 3 minutes from touchdown.
- The Orbiter would continue to observe the moon’s surface and its exosphere for a year by encircling the natural satellite.
Vikram Lander
- The Lander of Chandrayaan 2 is named Vikram after Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the Father of the Indian Space Programme.
- It was designed to function for one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days.
- The Lander was designed to execute a soft landing on the lunar surface.
- The Lander carried three scientific payloads to conduct surface and subsurface science experiments.
Vikram Payloads
- Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity: Will characterise the seismicity around the landing site
- Chandra’s Surface Thermo-physical Experiment: Will examine the Moon’s thermal conductivity and temperature gradient
- Langmuir Probe: Will conduct ionosphere studies on the lunar surface
Why there is a deadline for establishing contact?
- Lander and rover were supposed to be functional only for 14 days from the day of their touchdown.
- Lunar days and nights are equivalent to 14 Earth days.
- The nights on the Moon can be very cold, especially in the South Polar Region where Vikram is lying.
- Temperatures could drop to as low as -200°C.
- The instruments aboard the lander are not designed to withstand that kind of temperature.
- The electronics would not work and would get permanently damaged.
Chandrayaan-2 Mission
- It was India’s second mission to the moon, the first one being Chandrayaan-1
- Chandrayaan 2 was designed to explore and perform studies on the South Pole region of lunar terrain which was not explored and sampled by any past mission.
- It comprised a fully indigenous Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan). The Rover Pragyan was housed inside Vikram lander.
https://kas.talentacademy.co.in/2019/07/23/chandrayaan-2-a-giant-leap-for-indias-space-programme/] [Source: The Hindu, Indian Express]
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