In a significant development, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, part of India’s ambitious space exploration program, formally greeted the Chandrayaan-3’s lander module on August 21, 2023. This friendly exchange marked a milestone in the ongoing lunar mission and was celebrated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with a heartwarming message. The orbiter conveyed its greetings to the lander module with the words: ‘Welcome, buddy!’
Paving the Way for Communication
The achievement of two-way communication between the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and the Chandrayaan-3 lander module holds immense significance. This accomplishment has opened up new communication routes for the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) of ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC). This expansion in communication capabilities brings the teams closer to their objectives and allows for enhanced coordination.
A Lunar Reunion
Chandrayaan-3’s lander module now orbits closely to the Moon, accompanied by the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. This close proximity has facilitated the warm welcome extended by the orbiter. On the historic day of August 21, 2023, ISRO’s Twitter account, referred to as “X,” shared the joyful message of Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter welcoming Chandrayaan-3’s lander module. The tweet encapsulated the camaraderie between these spacefaring entities with the phrase: ‘Welcome, buddy!’
Anticipating the Lunar Touchdown
With the establishment of two-way communication, ISRO also announced a live telecast of the Chandrayaan-3’s landing event, scheduled for August 23, 2023. The event is set to be broadcasted at 5:20 pm IST. Chandrayaan-3 is projected to achieve a historic landing at the lunar south pole around 6:04 pm IST on the same day. This exciting moment promises to be a testament to India’s commitment to space exploration and technological prowess.
A Glimpse of the Lunar Far Side
On August 21, ISRO shared captivating images of the lunar far side, which is the portion of the Moon that perpetually faces away from Earth. Captured by the Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC) on Chandrayaan-3’s lander module, these images serve a crucial purpose. They aid Chandrayaan-3 in identifying a secure landing area on the Moon’s surface during the descent phase. The camera’s role is to locate an area free from obstacles like boulders and trenches, ensuring a safe landing.
Progress of Chandrayaan-3’s Journey
Chandrayaan-3’s progress towards its lunar mission has been marked by several key milestones. The lander module underwent its final de-orbiting maneuver on August 20, 2023, positioning itself in an orbit of 25 km × 134 km. Earlier on August 17, the lander module was detached from the propulsion module. A notable phase, the orbit-circularization, was initiated on August 16, indicating Chandrayaan-3’s transition into a nearly circular orbit shape.
Science Payloads and Future Prospects
Both the propulsion module and the lander module are equipped with impressive payloads designed to contribute to scientific research. The propulsion module carries the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload, intended for the analysis of Earth’s spectral and polarimetric measurements from lunar orbit. This study aids in assessing the habitability potential of exoplanets.
Aiming for the Lunar South Pole
The Chandrayaan-3 mission carries immense significance as it targets a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole. If successful, India would become the first country to accomplish this remarkable feat. The endeavor showcases India’s prowess in space exploration and its dedication to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.
The Hindustan Herald Is Your Source For The Latest In Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, And LinkedIn To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Don’t Forget To Subscribe Our Telegram Channel @hindustanherald
