The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is collaborating with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to develop technologies that could prolong the operational life of future lunar landers to 100-200 days. This initiative aims to tackle the challenge of surviving the Moon’s harsh night conditions, where temperatures plummet, and solar power is unavailable. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted the need for advancements beyond the current 14-day lifespan achieved by Chandrayaan-3.
India’s successful soft landing near the Moon’s south pole with Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023 marked a significant milestone. However, the Vikram lander’s operations were limited to the lunar day due to power loss during the night. To address this issue, ISRO and DAE are working on artificial heating systems to safeguard spacecraft electronics and instruments during the extended lunar night, ensuring continuous functionality in extreme cold.
The development of these artificial heating systems is crucial for enabling lunar landers to operate for extended periods in low-temperature conditions. Narayanan expressed optimism about the project, stating that if successful, these systems could extend the lifespan of landers to 100-200 days, a substantial improvement over the current capabilities. India’s focus on lunar exploration underscores its commitment to pushing boundaries in space research and technology.
In another significant development, India made history by being the first country to achieve a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole, a region of strategic importance due to its potential water ice reserves. Additionally, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) recently selected three Indian space startups for funding under its Technology Adoption Fund (TAF) scheme. Astrobase Space Technologies, SatSure Analytics India, and TM2SPACE Technologies are the first Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) to receive support, highlighting India’s efforts to promote innovation in the space sector.
