Why ISRO Made Such a Small Rover for Chandrayaan 3
The Pragyan rover is the smallest rover ever sent to the moon. It weighs in at just 26 kilograms and is about the size of a shopping trolley. So why did ISRO make such a small rover?
There are several reasons. First, the Pragyan rover is only intended to operate for a short period of time, about 14 days. There is no need to send a large, heavy rover that would only be used for a short period.
Second, the Pragyan rover is designed to explore a very specific area of the moon, the lunar south pole. This area is of great scientific interest because it is believed to contain water ice. The Pragyan rover is equipped with instruments to search for water ice and to study the geology of the lunar south pole.
Third, the Pragyan rover is relatively inexpensive to build and launch. This is important for ISRO, which is a space agency with limited resources.
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to having a small rover. The Pragyan rover is not as capable as a larger rover would be. It cannot travel as far or as fast, and it cannot carry as much equipment. However, ISRO believes that the Pragyan rover is the best way to explore the lunar south pole at this time.
The Pragyan rover is a significant achievement for ISRO. It is the first Indian rover to land on the moon, and it is the first rover to explore the lunar south pole. The Pragyan rover is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the Indian space program.
In addition to the reasons mentioned above, there are a few other factors that may have contributed to ISRO’s decision to make such a small rover. First, the Pragyan rover is designed to be a technology demonstrator. ISRO is still learning about the challenges of operating a rover on the moon, and the Pragyan rover is a way to test out new technologies and procedures.
Second, the Pragyan rover is designed to be modular. This means that it can be easily upgraded or replaced with new modules. This is important because the lunar environment is harsh and can damage rovers over time.
Finally, the Pragyan rover is designed to be reusable. This means that it could be used to explore other areas of the moon in the future.
The Pragyan rover is a small but important step in India’s lunar exploration program. It is a pathfinder for future rovers that will explore the moon in more detail.
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