Chandrayaan-3: Orderly Landing & Orbital Manoeuvres
On a daring journey to explore uncharted territories, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission encounters a crucial trial: slowing down from a blistering speed of 6,000 kilometres per hour (km/h) to a mere 10 km/h for a gentle lunar landing. This complex navigation demands a transition from horizontal to vertical orientation, while conserving fuel – a challenge highlighted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chief, S Somanath.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
🌎 viewed by
Lander Imager (LI) Camera
on the day of the launch
&
🌖 imaged by
Lander Horizontal Velocity Camera (LHVC)
a day after the Lunar Orbit InsertionLI & LHV cameras are developed by SAC & LEOS, respectively https://t.co/tKlKjieQJS… pic.twitter.com/6QISmdsdRS
— ISRO (@isro) August 10, 2023
Critical to Chandrayaan-3’s success is the transition from horizontal flight to a vertical posture. Somanath highlighted this as the mission’s focal hurdle, recalling past difficulties. Speaking at the ‘Chandrayaan-3: Bharat’s Pride Space Mission’ event hosted by Disha Bharat, a non-profit organisation, he shared insights into the mission’s complexities.
Read more:- Chandrayaan 3 Victory: Enters Lunar Orbit!
Chandrayaan-3’s critical path entails a sequence of steps to align itself vertically for a secure lunar touchdown. The importance of this procedure is underscored by ISRO’s prior setback during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, where landing the lander on the Moon’s surface proved elusive.
Every Indian is waiting for this time#Chandrayan3 pic.twitter.com/zxnKPdhnO8
— Ashi Rawal 🇮🇳 (@RawalAshi) August 6, 2023
Apart from the directional switch, Chandrayaan-3’s challenges encompass efficient fuel usage, precise distance calculations, and algorithmic reliability. These factors contribute to the mission’s complexity, but they are pivotal for the successful execution of the lunar landing.
Read more:- Chandrayaan-3 Mission Takes Off: Proud Moment For India
The Vikram lander, carrying the Pragyan rover, sets stringent parameters for touchdown. With a maximum mass of 800 kg, it must land with a vertical velocity of ≤ 3.0 m/s and a horizontal velocity of ≤ 1.0 m/s. Additionally, the landing slope must remain under 12 degrees.
The Indian Space Research Organisation, or ISRO, has released the first images of the Moon as viewed by Chandrayaan 3 – India's third unmanned Moon mission. The Moon's cratered surface was captured by Chandrayan-3 after entering the lunar orbit on Saturday. #isro #chandrayaan3 pic.twitter.com/31sV0Cr4U3
— Talent Pie (@TalentPie) August 10, 2023
The journey leading to this point involves a carefully choreographed timeline of events. Beginning with the launch on July 14, Chandrayaan-3 embarked on a series of orbit-raising navigation and lunar trajectory adjustments. On August 23, if all goes according to plan, the spacecraft is slated to attempt its lunar touchdown.
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