Update: Chandrayaan 3

Chandrayaan 3, India's recent moon mission, marked a significant milestone in space exploration by testing the use of nuclear energy for power generation. Times of India reported that the propulsion module of Chandrayaan 3, still in lunar orbit, is equipped with a Radioisotope Heating Unit (RHU), an innovation from BARC. The project director, P. Veeramuthuvel, hinted at the potential of nuclear technology in powering future rovers.

However, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover of Chandrayaan 3 did not house the RHUs due to weight considerations. Instead, the propulsion module was selected for this experimental inclusion. Diving into the mission details, Chandrayaan 3 consisted of the Pragyan rover nestled inside the Vikram lander, propelled by a module. This mission, distinct from Chandrayaan 2, excluded a lunar orbiter since the previous mission's orbiter remains functional. Vikram and Pragyan, post their successful August 23 lunar landing, went dormant after ten days, with the propulsion module continuing its moon orbit. This achievement etched India's name as the fourth nation to master a controlled lunar landing and the first near the lunar south pole.

RHUs are pivotal in space missions to maintain equipment temperature. These units generate heat, acting as reliable heat sources for missions exploring colder realms of space. NASA likens RHUs to campfires that offer warmth in chilly terrains. Functioning of RHUs is based on the radioactive decay of plutonium dioxide, especially plutonium-238, providing about one watt of heat without needing moving parts or electronic intermediaries.

India isn't pioneering the use of nuclear technology in space. RHUs debuted in 1969 with Apollo 11's moon experiments and have journeyed to Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in various missions since.