Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone with its Chandrayaan 3 mission. Launched on July 14, the spacecraft has now successfully entered the lunar orbit after completing five orbits around Earth. This accomplishment comes after 22 days of hard work and dedication by the ISRO team.
Chandrayaan 3 is a crucial 40-day mission comprising a lander, a rover, and a propulsion module. By August 16, it will begin orbiting the moon, with the lander and the propulsion module set to separate on August 17. The lander, named Vikram in honor of the father of Indian space research, Vikram A Sarabhai, will stay in lunar orbit and communicate with Earth to receive range information.
The highlight of the mission is set for August 23 when Vikram lander is scheduled to touch down on the moon’s surface. This ambitious step will mark an essential milestone for ISRO, as the previous Chandrayaan 2 mission faced challenges during the landing process, resulting in communication loss.
The Chandrayaan 3 lander, accompanied by a rover, weighs approximately 1749 kg and is equipped with sensors to ensure a safe lunar landing. It is equipped with side-mounted solar panels, capable of generating 738 watts of power. The mission aims to study the moon’s south pole and will operate during one lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days.
The successful entry of Chandrayaan 3 into lunar orbit is a testament to the meticulous planning and execution by the ISRO team. The next 17 days will be crucial as they prepare for the historic landing of Vikram on August 23.
With this achievement, India’s space agency is inching closer to unlocking the moon’s mysteries and contributing to scientific exploration on an international scale. The world will be watching as ISRO endeavors to make history once again.
