BANGALORE: In a somber turn of events, Valarmathi, a distinguished scientist affiliated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), renowned for her vocal contributions during rocket launch countdowns at the Sriharikota facility, passed away following a sudden cardiac arrest. Her final countdown narration graced the historic launch of Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar exploration mission.

The grand spectacle of Chandrayaan-3 unfurled on July 14, when it took flight from the hallowed grounds of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

A monumental chapter in India's space endeavors was etched on August 23, as the Lander Module (LM) of Chandrayaan-3, encompassing the intrepid Vikram lander and the inquisitive Pragyan rover, gracefully descended upon the lunar surface. This remarkable achievement thrust India into an exclusive league of nations, becoming only the fourth country to triumph in this lunar landing quest. Moreover, India's lunar emissaries ventured to the uncharted territory of the Moon's southern pole, marking an unparalleled milestone.

In parallel developments, ISRO reported that the Pragyan rover, now stationed on the Moon, has entered a slumber state. The space agency anticipates reawakening it after a 14-day respite. This drowsy interlude has necessitated the temporary cessation of the two critical scientific payloads aboard the rover, namely the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS). These payloads are integral in transmitting invaluable data to Earth via the lander.

The symbiotic collaboration between Pragyan rover and Vikram lander had been instrumental in gathering profound scientific insights. The APXS and LIBS payloads are specially designed to scrutinize the elemental and mineralogical composition of lunar soil and rocks, unraveling the Moon's geological mysteries.

However, should the Pragyan rover fail to reawaken successfully, it faces a poignant fate of forever remaining on the lunar surface, immortalized as India's enduring lunar emissary.

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