Chandrayaan-3- Navigating Lunar Pathways: Vikram Lander's condition sound, Approaching Moon at a Distance of 113 km

New Delhi, 19 Aug, (VNI) In an exciting turn of events, the Chandrayaan-3 mission has reached a crucial phase in its lunar journey, with the Vikram lander module making impressive progress toward a soft landing on the moon's surface. The mission, launched on July 14, is scheduled to attempt this delicate landing on August 23, marking a significant milestone for India's space exploration ambitions.

The latest updates reveal that the Vikram lander's health is normal as it orbits a mere 113 kilometers away from the moon. This achievement comes after a series of meticulously planned maneuvers executed flawlessly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

A key highlight in the mission's timeline was the successful execution of a deboosting maneuver by the Vikram lander on Friday. This critical maneuver aimed to set the lander on the optimal trajectory for the anticipated soft landing. The deboosting operation was part of a sequence of maneuvers initiated since the mission's departure from Earth on July 14.

ISRO's Chairman, Sivan K., emphasized the significance of transitioning from a horizontal to a vertical direction during this stage of the mission. "The ability to transfer from horizontal to vertical direction is the trick we have to play here. Here only we had the problem last time," he elucidated during a talk focused on the Chandrayaan-3 mission's challenges.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission has not been without its challenges. The endeavor involves complex maneuvers aimed at achieving a vertical position before attempting a gentle lunar touchdown. This step is of utmost importance, as ISRO faced setbacks in its previous Chandrayaan-2 mission due to an unsuccessful landing attempt. The agency's attention is dedicated to optimizing fuel consumption, refining distance calculations, and ensuring the flawless operation of intricate algorithms to ensure success this time around.

A detailed timeline of the mission's progress sheds light on the meticulous planning and successful execution of maneuvers:

July 6: ISRO announces the mission launch date of July 14.
July 7: Vehicle electrical tests are successfully completed.
July 11: A comprehensive 24-hour 'Launch Rehearsal' simulates the entire launch process.
July 14: Chandrayaan-3 is launched into its designated orbit.
July 15: The first orbit-raising maneuver is successful, setting the module on a trajectory of 41762 km x 173 km.
July 17: The second orbit-raising maneuver elevates Chandrayaan-3 to a 41603 km x 226 km orbit.
July 22: The fourth orbit-raising maneuver positions the spacecraft in a 71351 km x 233 km orbit.
August 1: Chandrayaan-3 is inserted into translunar orbit (288 km x 369328 km).
August 5: Successful lunar orbit insertion (164 km x 18074 km).
August 6: Lunar orbit is further lowered to 170 km x 4,313 km.
August 9: The spacecraft's trajectory is adjusted to a lunar orbit of 174 km x 1437 km.
August 14: Controlled maneuvers bring Chandrayaan-3 to an orbit of 150 km x 177 km.
August 16: The fifth and final Moon-bound maneuver establishes a near-circular orbit of 163 km x 153 km.
August 17: The landing module, comprising the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, separates from the propulsion system.
August 18: A final orbit adjustment places Chandrayaan-3 at around 100 km x 30 km, its farthest and nearest points to the moon.
August 23: The mission's grand finale—planned lunar touchdown attempt at 5:47 pm, covering the last 30 km distance.
As the Chandrayaan-3 mission progresses steadily toward its ultimate goal, the entire world awaits with bated breath for the culmination of India's pursuit of lunar exploration and achievement. The challenges overcome, the meticulous planning, and the dedication of ISRO's team all contribute to shaping this remarkable chapter in India's space exploration history.