Chandrayaan-3 Mission Lunar Landing
In a significant and exciting endeavor, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is poised to make history with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, aimed at achieving a soft landing on the lunar surface. This endeavor comes on the heels of the Chandrayaan-2 mission of 2019, which faced a setback when the Vikram lander crashed during its landing attempt. The ultimate goal of Chandrayaan-3 is to showcase ISRO's capability to perform a smooth lunar landing.
The current mission has set its sights on the lunar south pole, a region that remains unexplored by previous lunar missions. If all goes according to plan, India could become only the third country to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon, joining the ranks of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.
The journey for Chandrayaan-3 began 40 days ago at the Sathish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. The culmination of this journey is set for 6.04 PM IST on August 23 when the Vikram lander is expected to softly touch down on the lunar surface. The mission's success hinges on a meticulously choreographed 15-minute sequence of events, aptly known as the “15 minutes of terror.”
These 15 minutes consist of four distinct phases:
- Rough Braking Phase: The lander's horizontal velocity, initially at around 6,000 kilometers per hour, must be drastically reduced to nearly zero for a safe landing.
- Attitude Holding Phase: At an altitude of roughly 7.43 kilometers above the Moon's surface, the lander will pivot from a horizontal to a vertical orientation, covering a distance of 3.48 kilometers.
- Fine Braking Phase: Lasting approximately 175 seconds, the lander will cover around 28.52 kilometers horizontally, lowering its altitude by about 1 kilometer. Notably, Chandrayaan-2 experienced difficulties during this phase in its prior attempt.
- Terminal Descent: This final stage involves the lander descending vertically to make a gentle touchdown on the lunar surface.
The complexities of soft lunar landings stem from the Moon's thin atmosphere and lack of a GPS system. Unlike on Earth, atmospheric friction can't aid in slowing down the spacecraft, necessitating precise propulsion maneuvers. Additionally, the absence of GPS means onboard computers must rapidly compute and execute maneuvers without external guidance.
During Chandrayaan-3's descent, control primarily shifts to its onboard systems and artificial intelligence. The craft's logic and sensors work together to make real-time adjustments and ensure a safe landing, even in the event of sensor failures. This reliance on autonomous systems reflects ISRO's meticulous planning and preparedness.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission's journey mirrors its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, up until this crucial point. A successful landing hinges on overcoming the challenges that led to Chandrayaan-2's unfortunate crash, particularly the shift from horizontal to vertical orientation and the reduction of horizontal velocity.
As Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander inches closer to its momentous landing attempt, the anticipation and significance of this mission grow. India's aspiration to become the first nation to land a probe near the Moon's south pole is poised to be realized, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
In a universe that spans unfathomable distances, the accomplishments of political parties pale in comparison to the monumental feats of space exploration. This pursuit transcends boundaries and ideologies, uniting humanity in the quest for knowledge beyond our home planet.
If successful, Chandrayaan-3's soft landing on the Moon's south pole could uncover hidden insights about our solar system's history and origins. The freezing conditions of this unexplored region might reveal preserved remnants of the past, adding new chapters to our understanding of Earth and the cosmos.
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