India’s moon lander Vikram can hop around the moon it seems after the moon rover Pragyan went to sleep.
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vikram soft landed on the lunar soil for a second time.
In a post on X, ISRO said: “Vikram Lander exceeded its mission objectives. It successfully underwent a hop experiment.” “On command, it fired the engines, elevated itself by about 40 cm as expected and landed safely at a distance of 30 – 40 cm away.”
According to the space agency, the kick start gives enthusiasm for lunar sample return in the future and also for manned missions to the moon.
“All systems performed nominally and are healthy. Deployed Ramp, ChaSTE and ILSA were folded back and redeployed successfully after the experiment,” ISRO said.
Sometime back, the Indian space agency uploaded the video Pragyan moving on the social media platform X and said: “It feels as though a child is playfully frolicking in the yards of Chandamama, while the mother watches affectionately. Isn't it?”
Now perhaps with the playful kid going to sleep the mother is hopping around!
India on August 23 reached the Moon with its lander safely landing on the lunar soil in a text book style.
Later the rover rolled down and started doing experiments.
ISRO said, the rover has found the presence of oxygen, aluminium, sulphur and other materials near the lunar south pole, while investigation regarding the presence of hydrogen is underway.
Pakistan closes airspace temporarily after India accuses it of using civilian flights as shields
Pakistan on Saturday shut down its airspace temporarily, hours after India accused the former of using commercial flights as shields amid drone attacks.
Loud blasts cause panic in J&K's Srinagar, Akhnoor areas
Panic gripped Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city and Akhnoor area in Jammu division on Saturday as massive blast-like sounds were heard forcing morning walkers to rush back home while overnight pounding of civilian areas in Poonch and Rajouri districts by Pakistan Army caused major damage.
Three injured in drone attack in Punjab's Ferozepur
Police officials told the media that the blast took place owing to drone that was later intercepted and which got destroyed by the Army's air defence system, but it landed at a house in Khai Pheme Ke village.
Security tightened at Agartala airport amid India-Pakistan tensions
Airport Director Kailash Chander Meena informed that enhanced security protocols have been implemented at the MBB Airport, which is categorised as a hyper-sensitive installation due to its proximity to the Bangladesh border.
Congress takes out 'Jai Hind Tiranga Yatra' in NE to support 'Operation Sindoor'
As part of their nationwide programme, opposition Congress on Friday organised a 'Jai Hind Tiranga Yatra' in northeastern states in support of the Indian Army’s determined action under ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror hideouts in Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor: PM Modi meets Rajnath Singh, NSA Doval and three service chiefs
In the backdrop of the ongoing ‘Operation Sindoor’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and Chiefs of the Armed Forces and senior officials.
11 more Bangladeshi nationals held in Tripura
The Tripura Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF), jointly with state police, on Friday apprehended 11 more Bangladeshi nationals, including four women and four children, officials said.
Railway Protection Force tightens security in NFR zone
In response to escalating security challenges across the country, Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has significantly strengthened its security protocols at stations, trains and railway premises, an official said on Friday.