In a significant achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully maneuvered the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into lunar orbit. The spacecraft, comprising a propulsion module, a lander, and a rover, was flawlessly launched on July 14, 2023, using India’s heavy lift rocket LVM3. The main objective of this mission is to safely land the rover near the South Pole of the moon, a complex task that involves precise braking and hazard-free zone identification. As the spacecraft begins its lunar journey, let’s delve into the details of this ambitious mission and what’s next for Chandrayaan-3.
The Successful Insertion into Lunar Orbit
On a Saturday evening, at approximately 7.15 p.m., the onboard motors of Chandrayaan-3 initiated a crucial firing, propelling the spacecraft towards the moon’s orbit. ISRO proudly announced the successful insertion into the lunar orbit with a tweet, signaling the mission’s progress.
Upcoming Operations and Key Dates
Following the milestone of lunar orbit insertion, the next operation, scheduled for August 6, 2023, around 23:00 Hrs. IST, involves reducing the orbit’s trajectory. The mission operations will be commanded from the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISTRAC, Bengaluru.
Lander’s Soft-Landing: A Tricky Endeavour
The ultimate challenge of the Chandrayaan-3 mission lies in executing a soft-landing near the moon’s South Pole on August 23, 2023, at 5.47 p.m. This maneuver requires a series of complex braking techniques, both rough and fine, to ensure a safe touchdown on the lunar surface. Prior to the landing, detailed imaging of the landing site will be performed to identify secure and hazard-free zones.
The Lunar Rover’s Explorations
Once the lander safely descends to the lunar surface from an altitude of about 100 km, the six-wheeled rover will embark on its exploration mission. The rover is designed to conduct experiments on the lunar surface for one lunar day, equivalent to approximately 14 earth days. This duration will allow the rover to gather valuable data and insights about the moon’s environment and surface.
Previous Achievements of Chandrayaan-3
Before its lunar journey, Chandrayaan-3 had completed orbiting around the Earth. On August 1, 2023, a successful perigee-firing, skillfully executed at ISTRAC by ISRO, ensured the spacecraft was injected into its translunar orbit.
Conclusion
The successful insertion of Chandrayaan-3 into lunar orbit marks a significant milestone for India’s ISRO and its ambitious moon exploration mission. As the spacecraft proceeds towards its destination, the upcoming operations, including the challenging soft-landing, will be closely monitored. With the rover poised to begin its explorations on the lunar surface, India’s space endeavors promise exciting scientific discoveries and advancements. Let us look forward to the success of Chandrayaan-3 and the valuable knowledge it will bring from the lunar frontier.
