Chandrayaan-3 is the third spacecraft sent to the moon by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the second one to attempt a soft landing on the far side of the moon. The Chandrayaan-3 consists of a lander module (LM), a propulsion module (PM) and a rover. Earlier today the craft successfully completed its 5th firing that has put the Chandrayaan-3 into an orbit of 153 km x 163 km around the moon as intended bringing it another step closer to its moon landing attempt which is expected to happen at 5.47 p.m on August 23rd 2023.
Chandrayaan-3’s Moon-bound maneuvers
After the completion of the five orbit reduction maneuvers ISRO said that it is gearing up for the next most crucial operations which is scheduled on August 17.
“It’s time for preparations as the Propulsion Module and the Lander Module gear up for their separate journeys. Separation of the Lander Module from the Propulsion Module is planned for August 17, 2023,” the space agency said
The propulsion module will separate from the lander while in orbit.
Following that, a series of complex braking maneuvers will be executed to facilitate a soft landing in the South Polar region of the Moon on August 23. The lander is expected to touch down on the moon surface at 5.47 p.m.
I am eagerly waiting for this attempt with fingers crossed. Although I think that the mission would have been even better if it was landing on the moon on 15th Aug (India’s Independence Day). More details on the mission and the craft is available over at the IRSO’s Chandrayaan-3 site.
– Suramya