Software Developed By IIT Kanpur Scientists To Guide Chandrayaan-2’s Pragyan Rover On Lunar Surface

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology - Kanpur developed a motion planning and mapping generation software for the Chandrayaan-2 mission which is now on its intended path towards the moon.

This software will help the rover Pragyan in its landing and movement on the lunar surface, reports New Indian Express.

The IIT Kanpur team comprised of Prof Ashish Datta of the Mechanical Engineering Department and Prof KS Venkatesh of Electrical Engineering wing. The 27 kg rover runs on 50 W of solar power and can travel up to 500 m at a speed of 1 cm per second and communicates directly with the lander.

The made in India software would help the rover in drilling the lunar surface, to explore for traces of water and minerals before beaming back its findings for further research and examination.

The rover is expected to soft-land on the lunar surface in the first week of September.