The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2.35 PM IST on Thursday, July 14. This ambitious mission aims to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, which will make India only the fourth country in history to accomplish this feat, following the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, after a successful liftoff from Earth, is currently in orbit around our planet as it begins its journey towards the Moon. The mission is carefully planned and involves several critical events that need to be executed flawlessly. These events include earth-bound manoeuvres to fine-tune the spacecraft's trajectory, insertion into the lunar orbit, separation of the lander, a series of deboost manoeuvres, and a power descent phase for a gentle landing on the lunar surface.
P Veeramuthuvel, the project director of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, has highlighted the significance and complexity of these upcoming milestones. Each event requires precise calculations and meticulous execution to ensure a successful outcome. India's previous lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, faced an unfortunate setback when the lander, Vikram, experienced a hard landing during its final descent in September 2019. However, the orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 remains operational and continues to provide valuable scientific data.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission represents India's determination to achieve its lunar exploration goals. By successfully landing on the Moon, India aims to make significant contributions to the understanding of our celestial neighbor's geology, mineralogy, and potential for resources. Additionally, this mission showcases India's technological prowess in space exploration and establishes the country as a key player in the global space community.
The quest for a soft landing on the Moon has historically been a challenging endeavor. Both the United States and the Soviet Union faced numerous failures and setbacks before achieving successful landings. China, on the other hand, accomplished a soft landing in its first attempt with the Chang'e-3 mission in 2013. If ISRO accomplishes a successful landing with Chandrayaan-3, it would be a remarkable achievement for India and a testament to the organization's dedication and expertise.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is expected to take approximately 42 days to complete its journey to the Moon. Throughout this period, the spacecraft and its instruments will undergo rigorous testing and monitoring to ensure their functionality and readiness for the critical landing phase. The scientific community, space enthusiasts, and the Indian public eagerly await updates on the mission's progress as India ventures closer to joining the exclusive group of nations that have achieved a soft landing on the Moon.
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