“Prior to that [sleep mode], in-situ experiments by ChaSTE, RAMBHA-LP and ILSA payloads were performed at the new location. The data collected has been received. Payloads are now switched off. Lander receivers are kept ON. Vikram will fall asleep next to Pragyan once the solar power is depleted and the battery is drained. Hoping for their awakening, around September 22, 2023,” Isro said on X.
The space agency also shared photos of the lunar surface before and after the hop.
Earlier in the day, Isro shared that Vikram had achieved a significant milestone on the Moon by performing a hop, which could give important learnings for future missions that may aim at bringing back samples.
“Vikram Lander exceeded its mission objectives. It successfully underwent a hop experiment. On command, it fired the engines, elevated itself by about 40cm as expected and landed safely at a distance of 30–40cm away. This ‘kick-start’ enthuses future sample return and human missions!,” Isro said.
Stating that all systems performed nominally and are healthy, Isro said the payloads that had been deployed — Ramp, ChaSTE and ILSA — were folded back and then redeployed again successfully after the experiment.