India’s ambitious third lunar mission is rapidly approaching its culmination as it inches closer to the Moon’s less-explored southern pole, with plans to successfully deploy a lander and rover on August 23.
In a significant milestone, the lander of Chandrayaan-3 detached from the propulsion module on Thursday. This separation marked the initiation of the mission’s final phase as the lander begins its approach towards the lunar surface.
While Chandrayaan-3 holds the promise of achieving a groundbreaking feat, it may not secure the title of the first to touch down at the southern pole. A recent Russian venture, Luna-25, which embarked on its journey last week, is expected to make a soft landing a day or two ahead of Chandrayaan-3.
The upcoming soft landing of Luna-25, Russia’s first Moon mission in nearly five decades since its participation as the Soviet Union, carries the potential to precede Chandrayaan-3’s landing on either the 21st or 22nd of August.
Should the Russian mission succeed in its landing endeavor, Chandrayaan-3 will be recognized as a closely following achievement. India will still solidify its position as the fourth nation in history, after the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China, to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface.
Highlighting the recent developments, the Indian Space Research Agency (ISRO) revealed that the landing module is scheduled to enter a slightly lower orbit through a planned “deboosting” maneuver on Friday at 4 pm IST (11:30 am BST). This adjustment sets the stage for the final descent and anticipated touchdown on the Moon on August 23.
In contrast, Luna-25’s propulsion, powered by the formidable Soyuz rocket, allowed it to swiftly escape Earth’s gravitational pull, propelling it into lunar orbit by Wednesday, as declared by the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
Chandrayaan-3 commenced its journey on July 14, circumnavigating the Earth several times before entering lunar orbit on August 5. Currently orbiting the Moon, the spacecraft diligently prepares for its historic landing mission, offering a glimpse into the remarkable advancements in space exploration and technology.
