NEW DELHI (NEWSnet/AP) — India’s moon rover has completed its walk on the lunar surface less than two weeks after its historic landing near the lunar south pole, India’s space mission said.

“The rover completes its assignments. It is now safely parked and set into sleep mode," with daylight on that part of the moon coming to an end, Indian Space Research Organization said late Saturday.

Data collected by the rover has been transmitted to the Earth via the lander, the agency said in a statement.

The Chandrayaan-3 lander and rover are expected to operate for only one lunar day, equal to 14 days on Earth.

“Currently, the battery is fully charged,” the agency’s statement said. “The solar panel is oriented to receive the light at the next sunrise expected on September 22, 2023. The receiver is kept on. Hoping for a successful awakening for another set of assignments.”

There was no word on the outcome of the rover searches for signs of frozen water on the lunar surface.  That could help future astronaut missions, as a potential source of drinking water or to create rocket fuel.

Data will be analyzed by India’s scientists, then by the global community, said Pallava Bagla, a science writer and co-author of books on India’s space exploration.

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