Nilanjan
You have probably heard of India’s ambitious Chandrayaan-3 mission, which aims to land a rover on the lunar south pole. But did you know that today is the day it will attempt to make history? Yes, you read that right. In just a few hours, India will try to become the fourth country in the world to achieve a soft landing on the moon, after the U.S., Russia and China. And you can watch it live!
This is not an easy feat, as the previous Chandrayaan-2 mission failed to land safely on the moon in 2019, crashing at an altitude of 2.1 km before touchdown. But this time, ISRO has made all the systems more robust and changed the guidance design and introduced newer algorithms to ensure a smooth and successful landing.
Chandrayaan-3, embarking on its third lunar mission, is poised to achieve a gentle and triumphant touchdown on the Moon’s southern polar region at approximately 6.04pm today, August 23. Should any adverse conditions arise, an ISRO scientist has noted the possibility of rescheduling the landing to August 27.2.
Here is everything you need to know about this historic moment and how to watch it live.
ISRO Official
What is Chandrayaan-3 and why is it important?
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar exploration mission, following Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 and Chandrayaan-2 in 2019. It consists of a lander module and a rover module, which will carry out scientific experiments on the lunar surface for one lunar day (14 earth days).
The mission is important for several reasons. First, it will explore the lunar south pole, which is a region of great scientific interest due to its potential for water ice and other resources. Second, it will demonstrate India’s technological capabilities and prowess in space exploration. Third, it will inspire millions of Indians and people around the world with its achievements and discoveries.
When and where will it land?
The Chandrayaan-3 lander module, named Vikram 2, is scheduled to touch down on the moon today (August 23) at 6:04 p.m. IST (8:34 a.m. EDT or 1234 GMT). The landing site is near the crater Manzinus C, which is located at about 70 degrees south latitude and 22 degrees east longitude.
The landing sequence will begin at 5:45 p.m. IST (8:15 a.m. EDT or 1215 GMT), when the lander will initiate a powered descent from an altitude of about 30 km above the moon. The descent will last for about 19 minutes, during which the lander will use its thrusters to reduce its speed and altitude gradually. The final phase of the landing will be the most critical, as the lander will hover over the landing site and use its sensors to avoid any obstacles or hazards.
If everything goes as per plan, the lander will make a safe and soft landing on the moon and deploy its ramp to release the rover module, named Pragyan 2.
A Timeline of Triumph: Chandrayaan-3’s Incredible Journey
The mission’s path to glory has been paved with careful planning and precise execution:
- July 14: The mission took flight, launching Chandrayaan-3 toward the Moon.
- July 15-25: Strategic orbit-raising maneuvers were carried out around Earth.
- August 1-5: The spacecraft journeyed from Earth to lunar orbit and separated from the propulsion module.
- August 6-16: Chandrayaan-3 gracefully performed orbit-lowering maneuvers around the Moon.
- August 17: The pivotal moment arrived as the lander separated from the propulsion module.
- August 23: The heart-stopping powered descent commenced at 5.45 p.m., with the anticipated touchdown at 6.04 p.m.
What will it do on the moon?
The lander and the rover will carry out various scientific experiments on the lunar surface during their mission life of one lunar day (14 earth days). The lander has four payloads, which are:
– RAMBHA-LP1: A Langmuir probe to measure plasma density near the lunar surface.
– ILSA: An instrumented seismic system to measure seismic activity on the moon.
– ChaSTE: A thermal probe to measure thermal conductivity and temperature gradient of lunar soil.
– RETINA: A retroreflector array to reflect laser beams from orbiting spacecraft or Earth-based observatories.
The rover has two payloads, which are:
– APXS: An alpha particle X-ray spectrometer to measure elemental composition of lunar rocks and soil.
– LIBS: A laser-induced breakdown spectroscope to measure the elemental abundance of lunar surface.
The rover will move around the landing site using its six wheels and communicate with the lander via radio link. The lander will relay the data from both itself and the rover to Earth via an orbiter module, which was launched along with Chandrayaan-3 in July.
The Countdown Begins: Touchdown Scheduled for 6.04 p.m. on August 23
As the clock ticks down, Chandrayaan-3’s lander is all set to make its grand entrance onto the lunar surface at 6.04 p.m. The entire nation waits with excitement and trepidation, hoping for a safe and successful landing.
How can I watch it live?
You don’t want to miss this historic event, do you? Well, you are in luck, because there are several ways you can watch it live online.
One option is to watch it here at Space.com , courtesy of ISRO . The coverage is scheduled to begin at 7:50 a.m. EDT (1150 GMT or 5:20 p.m. IST).
Another option is to watch it directly on ISRO’s website, YouTube channel, Facebook page, or Twitter account. You can also follow ISRO’s updates on their social media platforms.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn and get ready to witness history in the making. India is about to land on the moon, and you can be part of it. Don’t miss it!
Related articles:
https://www.knockinglive.com/chandrayaan-3-vs-luna-25-isro-explains-key-differences/
https://www.knockinglive.com/chandrayaan-3-live-updates/
https://www.knockinglive.com/chandrayan-3-successfully-enters-moons-orbit/
