Pragyan Rover Charts New Course After Encountering Unexpected Obstacle on Moon

Bengaluru: The Pragyan rover on India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission encountered an unexpected 4-meter diameter crater on the moon’s surface on August 27, 2023. The rover’s close encounter with the crater detected merely three metres ahead, prompted a swift course adjustment to ensure its safety.

The Chandrayaan-3 rover successfully landed on the previously unexplored south-polar region of the Moon on August 23, 2023. This achievement solidified India’s position as the first country to accomplish such a feat. The rover’s exploration of the lunar surface led to the discovery of the 4-meter crater.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission:

On August 27, 2023, the Rover came across a 4-meter diameter crater positioned 3 meters ahead of its location.
The Rover was commanded to retrace the path.

It's now safely heading on a new path.#Chandrayaan_3#Ch3 pic.twitter.com/QfOmqDYvSF

— ISRO (@isro) August 28, 2023

The rover’s maneuver through a lunar crater with a depth of approximately 100 mm has bolstered the confidence of the ISRO team back home. However, the unexpected crater presented a new challenge, which the team promptly addressed by instructing the rover to backtrack and plot a new path.

This quick response underscores the team’s vigilance and adaptability in addressing unforeseen obstacles during space exploration. The Chandrayaan-3 mission aligns with global efforts to delve into lunar mysteries and advances humanity’s exploration of the Moon. This recent encounter highlights the complexity and excitement of space exploration while showcasing the determination and expertise of India’s space endeavours.