The Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-3 mission “exceeded its mission objectives” and successfully executed a “hop experiment” on the lunar surface, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) posted on X on Monday morning.
This means that the lander made its second consecutive ‘soft landing’ on the moon’s surface. “On command, it fired the engines, elevated itself by about 40 cm as expected and landed safely at a distance of 30-40 cm away,” ISRO said.
This hop by the Vikram lander is being considered as a significant experiment and a very successful one by space experts. It has firstly showcased the technical capabilities and reliability of the spacecraft’s engines and landing systems. “By successfully firing its engines, elevating itself and landing safely, the lander has demonstrated its ability to navigate and manoeuvre in lunar conditions.
This is crucial for future missions, including sample return and human missions, as it gives confidence in the spacecraft’s ability to perform complex manoeuvres and operations. This experiment's success has enthused the scientific and space exploration community. The ability of a spacecraft to hop even by a small distance opens up new possibilities for accessing hard-to-reach areas on the moon’s surface. This can be particularly valuable for future sample return missions, as it allows for the collection of diverse samples from different regions, increasing scientific knowledge and understanding of the lunar environment,” Girish Linganna space and aerospace expert told THE WEEK.
He added that the successful deployment and redeployment of other experimental instruments, such as the deployed ramp, ChaSTE and ILSA, further validates the robustness and functionality of the spacecraft's systems. “This ensures that future missions can rely on these systems when carrying out scientific experiments or other mission objectives.
Thus, the successful completion of the hop experiment by the Vikram lander not only demonstrates the spacecraft’s technical capabilities and reliability, but also provides inspiration and enthusiasm for future lunar exploration missions,” added Linganna.
When compared with other missions on the moon, the Vikram lander has done a few significant things. For instance the Chinese Chang’e-4 mission conducted by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) had a lander which did not possess the capability to hop. Instead, it served as a stationary platform for the rover, Yutu 2, which had the ability to hop over short distances. The Chang’e-4 mission aimed to explore the largely uncharted far side of the moon. This region has unique geological features and provides valuable scientific data that can help us understand the moon’s history and evolution better.
The mission consisted of a lander and a rover named Yutu 2. The lander provided a stationary base for communication and scientific observations, while the rover was designed for mobility and close-up exploration. Chang’e-4 made a historic landing on the far side of the moon in January 2019, specifically in the south pole-Aitken Basin. This was the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon.
“Its rover Yutu 2 was equipped with a unique hopping mechanism. It could extend its legs and make small hops to traverse obstacles and explore different areas of the lunar surface. This hopping capability allowed it to overcome challenges, such as rocks and small craters, enabling it to access locations that the rover would otherwise be unable to reach with its wheels alone,” explained Linganna.
Yutu 2 conducted a variety of scientific experiments during its mission. It studied the composition of the lunar surface, analysed the moon’s subsurface structure, and examined the surrounding environment, including the radiation levels on the far side. The lander, which remained stationary, served as a communication relay station between the rover and earth, ensuring a continuous link for data transmission.
“Initially designed for a short mission duration, both the lander and Yutu 2 exceeded their expected lifespans, continuing to operate and provide valuable data long after their landing. The Chang’e-4 mission and the Yutu 2 rover’s hopping capability have expanded our knowledge of the lunar far side and demonstrated China’s advancements in space exploration technology. It has also contributed to the broader scientific understanding of the moon’s geology and history,” Linganna further said.
