Chandrayaan-3 Mission Updates: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the brink of an ambitious feat - a successful soft landing on the lunar surface with the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission. All systems are set for the spacecraft's anticipated touchdown on the Moon's regolith on the 23rd of August. This significant endeavor places India on course to becoming the fourth country globally to achieve this monumental milestone, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.
The mission commenced its journey on the 14th of July, launching flawlessly atop the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The spacecraft is now poised for its lunar rendezvous on the 23rd of August. This marks India's third lunar expedition and the second dedicated attempt to softly land on the intricate lunar terrain.
Chandrayaan-3 Live Updates: Today's Spotlight
The Lander Module of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, housing both the lander Vikram and the rover Pragyan, is slated for a crucial maneuver. This entails carefully altering its orbit to bring it in close proximity to the lunar surface. The craft's Perilune, denoting the closest point to the Moon in its orbit, will be positioned at a mere 30 km, while the Apolune, representing the farthest point, will be extended to 100 km. This orbital adjustment is aptly termed 'deboost', setting the stage for the subsequent lunar descent.
Chandrayaan-3: The Trajectory of the Propulsion Module
Serving as the pivotal workhorse of the mission, the propulsion module is tasked with shepherding the Lander Module into a secure lunar orbit until their final separation.
As elucidated by the ISRO, the Propulsion Module will persist in its current orbit for months, potentially even years.
Furthermore, the payload housed within the Propulsion Module, designated as SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth), will undertake a distinctive role. This experimental payload is designed to scrutinize Earth from its vantage point in lunar orbit, capturing spectro-polarimetric signatures in the near-infrared wavelength range.
With these intricate maneuvers and innovative payloads, the Chandrayaan-3 mission endeavors to extend the horizons of India's space exploration capabilities and contribute valuable insights to the understanding of our celestial neighbor and our own planet.
Chandrayaan-3 Approaches Lunar Milestone: Lander Module Separation Imminent
Chandrayaan-3's Final Lunar Maneuver Completed Ahead of Separation
