India's Pragyan Rover To Leave Imprints Of ISRO Logo, National Emblem On Moon

At 6:04 PM on Wednesday, a historic event will unfold in India as Chandrayaan-3's Lander Module (LM) is slated to touch down near the Moon's south polar region. If the mission succeeds, the rover's rear wheels, known as Pragyan, will etch impressions of the ISRO logo and the national emblem - the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath - onto the lunar surface. This symbolic act signifies India's indelible presence on the Moon.

A curtain-raiser video, shared by ISRO prior to the mission launch, showcases the emblem imprints on the rover. As Pragyan traverses the Moon's terrain, the rover's rear wheels will mark the ground with these logos.

After the gentle landing, the rover will emerge from the lander's underside using one of its side panels as a ramp. The lander and rover are anticipated to function for one lunar day, roughly equivalent to 14 Earth days, to conduct observations of the lunar surroundings. However, the possibility of them reactivating for another lunar day is not ruled out by ISRO officials.

The Moon's south pole is an area of particular interest due to the potential presence of water in regions that are always in shadow. Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with four scientific instruments to investigate moonquakes, the thermal conductivity of the lunar surface, the plasma environment surrounding the Moon, and the precise Earth-Moon distance.

Beyond its scientific objectives, the rover will also leave behind lasting impressions, symbolizing the ISRO's accomplishments and the national emblem - the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.