India's Chandrayaan-3 rover rolls onto moon's surface, braces for new challenges
NEW DELHI -The moon rover of India's Chandrayaan-3 exited the spacecraft on Thursday to begin exploring the surface of the lunar south pole and conducting experiments, and was braced for new challenges, the space agency chief said.
Indian Space Research Organisation chief S. Somanath said the lander and the rover were in good condition, and"both are working very well" but the experiments were yet to start. Chandrayaan means"moon vehicle" in Hindi and Sanskrit. The rover is expected to remain functional for two weeks, or one lunar day, the period of time its solar-powered equipment is built to last.Somanath said there were"many issues" on the moon's surface that ISRO will experience for the first time, especially lunar dust and temperatures that could impact moving parts.
"All this creates problems in those mechanisms...so let us see how it goes," the scientist said."We will face it...that’s why we are exploring. If everything is known, what is the fun in doing it?" Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has been congratulated by everyone since Wednesday and that the world saw the successful landing not as one country's achievement but that of all of humanity.
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