Chennai, Aug 20 – In a remarkable milestone for India’s third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, the Lander Module (LM) has successfully detached from the Propulsion Module and is now prepared for its powered descent towards a soft landing on the lunar surface. This significant achievement comes after the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) executed the second and final deboosting operation, bringing the LM even closer to the Moon.
The second deboosting maneuver occurred at 0200 hrs on an early Sunday morning, positioning the LM at a carefully calculated distance from the Moon. The spacecraft’s current coordinates are approximately 25 km x 134 km. ISRO officials have shared that the LM will remain stationed at this orbit, awaiting the sunrise at the designated landing site. The much-anticipated powered descent is scheduled to initiate on August 23, 2023, around 1745 Hrs IST.
This strategic move aims to pave the way for a soft landing on August 23 evening at 5:45 pm, ultimately enabling the exploration of the largely uncharted South Polar Region of the Moon. The mission’s focus is to delve into this region and uncover valuable insights that have eluded previous lunar explorations.
With the LM’s successful separation from the Propulsion Module, ISRO’s engineers and scientists are now tasked with meticulous orbital maneuvers to ensure a safe and precise landing on the lunar surface. This process includes identifying the optimal landing site and implementing precise braking techniques to ensure a controlled descent.
Upon achieving a successful landing, the LM will deploy its accompanying rover, equipped to conduct in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar terrain. Both the lander and the rover are outfitted with scientific payloads designed to carry out a range of experiments and studies on the Moon’s surface.
ISRO has meticulously executed each step of Chandrayaan-3’s mission, from the initial separation to the calculated deboosting operations. The health and performance of the LM have been reported as normal, adding to the optimism surrounding the upcoming historic soft landing.
The advancements made by ISRO in the realm of space exploration continue to demonstrate India’s commitment to scientific discovery and technological innovation. Chandrayaan-3’s imminent success highlights the nation’s prowess in space research and exploration, fostering anticipation and excitement within the scientific community and beyond.
