Explain the objectives of Pragyan Rover onboard Chandrayaan-2.

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Introduction:

Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar mission, launched in July 2019, aimed to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface and deploy a rover, Pragyan, to explore the unexplored south polar region of the Moon. While the lander, Vikram, unfortunately experienced a hard landing, the orbiter continues to function, collecting valuable data. The Pragyan rover, had it successfully deployed, was designed with specific scientific objectives focusing on in-situ analysis of the lunar surface. Understanding these objectives requires examining the planned scientific payloads and their intended contributions to our understanding of the Moon.

Body:

1. In-situ Chemical Analysis: Pragyan’s primary objective was to conduct in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar regolith (the layer of loose, unconsolidated material covering the Moon’s surface). This would involve using its onboard Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) to determine the elemental composition of the lunar soil and rocks. This data would be crucial in understanding the geological history of the Moon and its formation. The APXS would identify the relative abundances of various elements, providing insights into the processes that shaped the lunar surface.

2. Mineralogical Studies: Beyond elemental composition, Pragyan aimed to contribute to our understanding of the mineralogical composition of the lunar surface. The APXS, while primarily focused on elemental analysis, could also provide indirect information about the minerals present. This data, combined with other data from the orbiter, would help scientists build a more complete picture of the Moon’s mineralogy.

3. Surface Imaging and Mapping: While not its primary function, Pragyan was equipped with cameras to capture images of the lunar surface. These images would have provided valuable context for the chemical and mineralogical data collected by the APXS. The images would have helped in identifying geological features and mapping the rover’s traverse path, contributing to a better understanding of the local lunar terrain.

4. Search for Water Ice: The south polar region of the Moon is believed to contain water ice in permanently shadowed craters. While Pragyan wasn’t specifically designed to directly detect water ice, the data collected by its instruments could have provided indirect evidence of its presence. The elemental composition of the regolith, for example, could hint at the presence of hydrated minerals.

5. Technological Demonstration: Beyond the scientific objectives, the deployment and operation of Pragyan served as a crucial technological demonstration. Successfully deploying and operating a rover on the lunar surface is a complex engineering feat, and the mission aimed to showcase India’s capabilities in space exploration technology. This experience would be invaluable for future lunar missions.

Conclusion:

Pragyan rover’s objectives were multifaceted, encompassing in-situ chemical and mineralogical analysis of the lunar regolith, surface imaging and mapping, and indirect search for water ice. While the lander’s hard landing prevented the rover from fulfilling these objectives, the mission’s technological demonstration aspect remains a significant achievement. Future lunar missions, building upon the experience gained from Chandrayaan-2, should prioritize robust landing systems and incorporate advanced instruments for more comprehensive analysis of the lunar surface, particularly in the search for water ice and other resources. This will contribute to a deeper understanding of lunar geology and pave the way for sustainable exploration and utilization of lunar resources, furthering our understanding of the solar system and promoting international collaboration in space exploration. The pursuit of such scientific endeavors aligns with the global commitment to peaceful and sustainable development in space, guided by principles of international cooperation and the responsible use of space technology.

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