In a momentous leap for India’s space endeavors, Chandrayaan-3 is set to become the fourth mission to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s surface, joining the ranks of the US, China, and the erstwhile Soviet Union. However, this achievement comes with a unique distinction: Chandrayaan-3 is poised to be the first to softly touch down on the moon’s south pole, an area of immense interest due to its potential for harboring water.
The Journey of Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3’s journey commenced on July 14 as a follow-up mission to the Chandrayaan-2, which encountered setbacks during its soft landing attempt. On August 5, Chandrayaan-3 successfully entered the lunar orbit, setting the stage for a series of critical maneuvers.
Navigating the Descent: Challenges and Assurance
Today’s soft landing is a pivotal phase, requiring the spacecraft to reduce its speed gradually to almost zero before touching down in a controlled manner. Learning from the lessons of Chandrayaan-2’s challenges, Isro’s chief, S Somnath, assures that even in the face of adversity, the soft landing will be achieved this time.
The Moment of Truth: The Descent and Turn
As Chandrayaan-3 descends from a height of 30km at a speed of 1.68km per hour, it is a critical moment when the craft will transition from a horizontal to a vertical direction. This maneuver, where Chandrayaan-2 faced difficulties, marks a crucial milestone in the mission’s success.
After the Landing: Analyzing the Moon’s Surface
Once the rover descends from the lander’s belly onto the moon’s surface, it will engage in an essential task—analyzing the lunar surface. The rover and lander are designed to function for one lunar day, equivalent to 14 days on Earth, during which they will study the surroundings and gather critical data.
Overcoming Lunar Night Challenges
With the setting of the sun on the moon, the lunar night brings extreme cold, plunging temperatures to as low as minus 180 degrees Celsius. This poses a challenge to the spacecraft’s survival, with systems functioning optimally only during daylight. Overcoming this challenge could be a defining feat for Isro.
Isro chairman S Somnath underscores Chandrayaan-3’s resilience, stating that even if critical components fail, the craft is designed to ensure a soft landing. The propulsion system’s performance remains key to this achievement.
The Next Steps: Continuity and Second Landing Attempt
If Chandrayaan-3’s first attempt faces challenges, Isro is prepared for a second landing attempt on August 24. Subsequent attempts may be made every lunar day, aligning with the rise of the sun on the moon’s horizon.
