Key Highlights :
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is moving closer to the moon and the lander module is slated for separation from the propulsion module tomorrow. The successful firing of the spacecraft for a short duration has put Chandrayaan-3 into an orbit of 153 km x 163 km, as intended. This marks the completion of the lunar bound maneuvers and the spacecraft is now gearing up for its separate journey.
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third mission to the moon and comprises of a propulsion module weighing 2,148 kg, lander weighing 1,723.89 kg and a rover weighing 26 kg. The main objective of the mission is to make a soft-landing near the South Pole of the moon. The lander is expected to make a soft-landing on August 23, 2023, at 5.47 p.m. from a height of about 100 km from the moon’s surface.
Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14, 2023, and injected into a translunar orbit on August 1, 2023. Prior to the soft landing, imaging of the landing site region will be done to find safe and hazard-free zones. After the soft-landing, the rover will roll out and carry out experiments on the lunar surface for a period of one lunar day, which is equivalent to 14 earth days.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a major step forward for India in its space exploration journey and will help in gaining valuable insights into the moon’s surface. It will also help in understanding the origin and evolution of the moon, as well as the presence of water and other minerals. This mission will also help in paving the way for future human exploration of the moon.
This mission is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the ISRO team, which has worked tirelessly to make this mission a success. With the successful completion of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India is sure to make its mark in space exploration and will be a major player in the global space race.