India’s Chandrayaan-3, the nation’s third mission to the Moon, is gearing up for a momentous event as its lunar landing date and time have been officially revealed. Launched successfully on July 14 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota, Chandrayaan-3 has progressed remarkably in its journey toward the lunar surface.

The Lunar Approach: Chandrayaan-3

On August 20, Chandrayaan-3 marked a significant milestone as its Lander Module (LM) achieved its second and final de-boosting operation. This accomplishment led the lander to settle into an orbit that ranges from the closest distance of 25 km to the Moon to the farthest distance of 134 km. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shared this update, highlighting the steady progress of the mission.

Countdown to Landing:

The module, now in its designated lunar orbit, will undergo meticulous internal checks and await the sunrise at the predetermined landing site. This crucial preparation phase aims to ensure the best conditions for the upcoming lunar touchdown.

Key Mission Dates:

Having successfully entered lunar orbit on August 5, Chandrayaan-3 has positioned itself for a historic lunar landing. On August 23, 2023, at approximately 18:04 Hrs. IST, the lander module is scheduled to delicately touch down on the Moon’s surface. This achievement will place India in an elite group, alongside the United States, China, and Russia, as the fourth nation to achieve a successful lunar landing.

The South Polar Challenge:

ISRO has revealed that Chandrayaan-3’s landing will be a “soft landing,” targeted for the Moon’s south polar region. Even after touching the lunar surface, the lander’s propulsion module will continue to circle the Moon, gathering valuable data about the Earth’s atmosphere.

Witnessing History:

ISRO has made provisions for people around the world to witness this historic event. On August 20, ISRO shared a tweet detailing how viewers can engage with Chandrayaan-3’s lunar mission in real-time.

According to ISRO’s official announcement, the live broadcast of the “eagerly anticipated event” will commence on Wednesday, starting at 17:27 Hrs. IST. The coverage will be accessible via multiple platforms, including the ISRO Website, YouTube, ISRO’s Facebook page, and the DD National TV channel.

Furthermore, ISRO has extended an invitation to educational institutions across the nation to actively participate in this significant occasion. Schools and colleges are encouraged to promote the event among students and faculty and organize live streaming of the Chandrayaan-3 soft landing within their premises.

As the world eagerly awaits this landmark event, Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing marks a moment of pride and scientific accomplishment for India’s space exploration endeavors.

Conclusion:

With Chandrayaan-3 poised for its lunar landing, the culmination of meticulous planning and scientific innovation is about to unfold. This achievement not only advances India’s presence in the realm of space exploration but also contributes to humanity’s growing understanding of the Moon and beyond.

FAQs:

1. What is Chandrayaan-3’s mission objective? Chandrayaan-3 aims to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon’s south polar region and conduct scientific exploration.

2. How can I watch Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing live? The historic event will be broadcast live on multiple platforms, including ISRO’s Website, YouTube, Facebook, and DD National TV channel.

3. What time will Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing occur? Chandrayaan-3 is set to land on the Moon on August 23, 2023, around 18:04 Hrs. IST.

4. What is the significance of a “soft landing”? A soft landing refers to a controlled and gentle touchdown of a spacecraft on the lunar surface to minimize impact and potential damage.

5. What data will the lander’s propulsion module gather after landing? Even after landing, the propulsion module will continue to orbit the Moon, studying the Earth’s atmosphere and gathering valuable scientific data.