In a notable development, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that India’s Pragyan rover came across a 4-meter diameter crater on the moon’s surface on August 27, 2023.
The unexpected obstacle was spotted merely three meters ahead of the rover’s position, prompting an immediate adjustment in its trajectory.
Just days prior, the Chandrayaan-3 rover achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing on the uncharted southern polar region of the Moon, establishing India as the pioneer in accomplishing this remarkable feat. This encounter with the crater occurred while the rover was actively exploring the lunar surface.
Having landed on the Moon’s southern polar region on August 23, the rover managed to traverse a lunar crater with a depth of approximately 100 mm. This accomplishment has bolstered the confidence of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) control room, which remains engaged in guiding and overseeing the rover as it navigates through various challenges.
Upon identifying the crater, the ISRO team promptly instructed the rover to backtrack its path and chart a new trajectory to ensure its safety. This swift reaction underscores the meticulous supervision and adaptability of the mission team in effectively addressing unforeseen obstacles during space exploration.
ISRO