New Delhi: ISRO has etched its name in history as Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed on the Moon, marking a historic milestone for India. The nation has become the first to achieve a flawless lunar surface touchdown. The culmination of prayers from 1.4 billion people and four years of tireless dedication by 16,500 ISRO scientists has finally borne fruit, placing not just the world, but also the Moon, within India's grasp. While Chandrayaan 3 was advancing, Russia's Luna 25 mission had been rapidly progressing toward the Moon's southern pole. It's a separate matter that an accident occurred before the soft landing. India's Vikram Lander has now firmly planted itself on the lunar terrain, and the Pragyan Rover is in motion. But do you know the rationale behind naming the lander Vikram and the rover Pragyan? Let us enlighten you...

Similar to the Chandrayaan 3 mission, Chandrayaan 2 also featured the names Vikram for the lander and Pragyan for the rover. Now, let's delve into the story behind this nomenclature. As widely known, Vikram Sarabhai is revered as the father of the Indian Space Program. Vikram symbolizes courage. Thus, the lander was christened Vikram in homage to his legacy. In contrast to Chandrayaan 2, the Chandrayaan 3 mission strengthened Vikram Lander's legs, enhancing its lunar surface footing.

Pragyan Rover:-
Now, let's focus on the rover. The name Pragyan originates from Sanskrit, signifying wisdom. The origin of this name stems from the rover's role in examining the lunar terrain and collecting data. In its mission, the rover is required to employ its cognitive abilities, hence the name Pragyan. In the case of Chandrayaan 2, it was lost on the Moon due to a hard landing, although the Pragyan Rover is operational. Therefore, no separate design was formulated for the Pragyan Rover in the context of the Chandrayaan 3 mission.

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