Bangalore: Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission, stands ready for success, imbued with lessons drawn from the setback of Chandrayaan-2. Renowned space scientist RC Kapoor expressed his optimism for the mission, highlighting that this time, meticulous preparation ensures that Chandrayaan-3 is thoroughly equipped for a triumphant lunar landing.
RC Kapoor, a former Professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), emphasized that the experiences of Chandrayaan-2's challenges have served as a springboard for Chandrayaan-3's development. Notably, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has diligently integrated the lessons from the 2019 Chandrayaan-2 launch failure.
"The world held its breath as Chandrayaan 2 made its way towards a gentle lunar touchdown. However, in a heart-wrenching twist, contact was severed a mere 2.1 kilometers from the surface, resulting in an abrupt hard landing," recounted Kapoor, underlining the magnitude of Chandrayaan-2's disappointment.
"Contrastingly, the current Chandrayaan 3's lander and rover are meticulously crafted, incorporating insights gained from the previous lunar mission," he affirmed.
ISRO's projection for Chandrayaan-3 envisions a moon landing on August 23 at approximately 18:04 IST. Kapoor, delving into the mission's advancements, pointed out key modifications. The mission has revamped its algorithms, ensuring a frictionless journey, and reinforced the lander's leg mechanism, bolstering its stability during the descent.
"This redesign guarantees resilience, allowing it to withstand landing speeds of up to 3 meters per second. Its increased weight, 250 grams more than its Chandrayaan-2 predecessor, accommodates extra fuel, negating any hurdles in reaching the lunar surface," Kapoor explained.
With bated anticipation for a flawless lunar landing, Kapoor shared, "During the critical 15-19-minute phase of deorbiting and descent, the lander will function autonomously, impervious to external control. Armed with comprehensive enhancements, success is all but assured."
The momentous event will be available for live viewing on the ISRO website, YouTube channel, Facebook, and the public broadcaster DD National TV, beginning at 17:27 IST on August 23, 2023.
India's imminent achievement is set to elevate it as the fourth nation globally, following the United States, Russia, and China, to accomplish this remarkable endeavor. Notably, India will stand alone in landing on the lunar south pole.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission revolves around three core objectives: to demonstrate a safe and gentle lunar landing, to showcase rover mobility on the moon's surface, and to conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
Originating its development phase in January 2020, Chandrayaan-3 had initially aimed for a 2021 launch. Yet, the unforeseen disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic led to an unavoidable delay in the mission's timeline.
On July 14, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 embarked on its journey via the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle, lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 2:35 PM."
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