Chandrayaan-3 Highlights: Lander Vikram Set to Reach 30 km Proximity to Moon

Chandrayaan-3 Highlights: Lander Vikram Set to Reach 30 km Proximity to Moon

Chandrayaan-3, India's ambitious lunar mission, has captured the attention of space enthusiasts around the world. In a significant step forward, the Lander Vikram is poised to reach a critical milestone today, as it edges closer to the Moon, marking a remarkable achievement for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This article delves into the exciting developments of Chandrayaan-3, focusing on the progress of Lander Vikram and its expected position just 30 km away from the lunar surface.

The mission was launched effectively on July 14 via the GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota. It is poised to touch down on the moon's exterior come August 23. It represents India's third lunar expedition and its second endeavor to achieve a delicate landing on the Moon's terrain.

● Lander Vikram's Remarkable Journey:

Chandrayaan-3, following in the footsteps of its predecessors, aims to explore and study the Moon's surface in greater detail. The Lander Vikram, a vital component of the mission, embarked on its journey to the Moon's vicinity with carefully planned precision. Over the past weeks, Vikram has been navigating through space, overcoming gravitational challenges and following a trajectory that aligns with ISRO's meticulous planning.

● The Significance of 30 km Proximity:

As the mission's focal point, Lander Vikram's impending position at a mere 30 km distance from the lunar surface holds immense scientific significance. This proximity will enable the spacecraft to capture high-resolution images, collect valuable data, and conduct analyses that could potentially unveil secrets about the Moon's geology, composition, and history. The anticipation surrounding the insights that Vikram's advanced sensors and instruments might provide has created a buzz within the global space community.

ISRO's Technological Expertise:

ISRO's expertise in space technology and its proven track record in successful lunar missions have paved the way for Chandrayaan-3's advancements. The intricate engineering behind Vikram's design, the propulsion systems that guide it through space, and the communication technologies that ensure seamless interaction with Earth command centers all highlight ISRO's prowess in the realm of space exploration.

1 • Exploring lunar terrain:Chandrayaan-3's Lander Vikram, positioned 30 km away from the Moon, is poised to explore the Moon's diverse terrain and offer valuable insights into its geological composition.

2 • ISRO's lunar endeavos:India's ISRO continues to make strides in lunar exploration, with Chandrayaan-3's Lander Vikram nearing the Moon's surface, a testament to India's growing presence in the global space community.

3 • High resolution imaging:Lander Vikram's proximity to the lunar surface promises high-resolution images that could uncover hidden details of the Moon's history and evolution, enriching our understanding of celestial bodies.

4 • Scientific discoveries await:With Lander Vikram's advanced instruments and sensors ready to capture data, the scientific community awaits potential discoveries that could reshape our knowledge of lunar science.

Former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai explained that once the lander module's deboosting process is on Friday, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft will prepare itself for the soft landing on the Moon.

ISRO Chairman had said earlier that the most critical part of the landing is the process of bringing the velocity of the lander from 30 km height to the final landing and the ability to transfer the spacecraft from horizontal to vertical direction.

With India attempting to send its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft (comprising Lander Vikram and Rover Pragyan) to the Moon, here is the list of seven rovers that were sent to the celestial body so far. China and the Soviets have sent two rovers each to the Moon till now. China's Yutu (2013) and Yutu-2 (2019) and Soviet's Lunkokhod 1 (1970) and Lunkokhod 2 (1973) were sent to the Moon. On the other hand, America has sent three rovers to the Moon--Apollo 16 LRV (1972), Apollo 15 LRV (1971), and Apollo 17 LRV (1972), respectively.