ISRO’s Surprise ‘Hop Experiment’ on Chandrayaan-3: A Small Step with Big Implications

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has once again showcased its prowess in lunar exploration with an unexpected feat during the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Just before being put into hibernation mode to endure the approaching lunar night, the lander module of the spacecraft was instructed to perform a small hop on the Moon, marking its second soft landing on the lunar surface.

ISRO stated that the Vikram Lander had not only met but exceeded its mission objectives by successfully executing this hop experiment. Upon command, the lander’s engines fired, allowing it to elevate itself by approximately 40 cm as anticipated. It then safely touched down again at a distance of 30-40 cm from its previous location.

This “hop experiment” was not previously disclosed by ISRO, making it a surprising and significant milestone. It demonstrated ISRO’s capability to command the lander to fire its engines and generate enough thrust to lift off from the lunar surface, even if it was just a small jump. This achievement is crucial for future lunar missions where ISRO aims to bring back lunar samples or facilitate human landings on the Moon. While these future scenarios will require considerably more thrust, the hop experiment serves as a foundational technology demonstration for such endeavors, marking a highlight of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

ISRO expressed the significance of this “kick-start” in inspiring confidence for future missions involving sample returns and human exploration.

The second soft landing, as ISRO described it, differed significantly from the first attempt. The lander weighed slightly less this time, around 1,750 kg, as the 26-kg rover had already been deployed on the Moon. This change in weight distribution inside the lander likely posed unique challenges and adjustments for the successful execution of the hop experiment.

ISRO’s accomplishment during the Chandrayaan-3 mission not only reinforces India’s capabilities in lunar exploration but also paves the way for more ambitious lunar endeavors in the future. As ISRO continues to push boundaries and explore the Moon and beyond, the knowledge and expertise gained from such missions are invaluable for advancing space exploration on a global scale.

News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 8th September  2023