Chennai, Aug 22: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the Chandrayaan-3 mission is right on track and poised for a delicate soft landing on the Moon’s South Polar Region tomorrow evening, sending waves of anticipation and excitement through the scientific community and the general public alike.
Continuous system checks are being carried out, and the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) is abuzz with energy and enthusiasm as the countdown to the soft landing intensifies. ISRO took to Twitter to share the update, stating, “Chandrayaan-3: the mission is on schedule.” “Systems are undergoing regular checks. Smooth sailing is continuing,” the agency stated.
“The MOX is buzzing with energy & excitement!” The live telecast of the landing operations at MOX/ISTRAC is set to commence at 1720 hrs on August 23, 2023. According to ISRO sources, the powered descent of the lander for a gentle touch down on the lunar surface will commence from an altitude of approximately 25 km, at a speed of 1.6 km per second.
During this descent, ISRO scientists will be focused on gradually reducing the speed of the lander, taking into account the influence of the Moon’s gravitational force. The critical phase of the landing process will initiate at 6.04 p.m., two hours subsequent to the upload of commands and the analysis of telemetry signals.
Executing a soft landing on the Moon is an intricate and demanding endeavor, involving a sequence of intricate maneuvers including rough and fine braking techniques. Prior to the actual landing, the landing site will be subjected to imaging in order to identify secure and hazard-free areas. As the lander descends towards the lunar surface in a horizontal orientation, scientists at the MOX within the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) facility in Bengaluru will execute commands for precise braking.
Once positioned vertically above the Moon’s surface, the lander will hover, capturing images, conducting a survey of the landing zone, and ultimately determining the optimal safe landing location. In the midst of these developments, ISRO has released a fresh set of moon images acquired by the Lander Position Detection Camera (LPDC) from an altitude of around 70 km on August 19, 2023.
