As India’s third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3 enters its crucial phase, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled images of the far side of the Moon. Chandrayaan-3, featuring the lander Vikram, is currently in pursuit of a secure landing site at the little-explored south pole on the moon.
Vikram, the lander equipped with a rover, initiated the final segment of its lunar mission on Thursday. Marking a significant step towards its scheduled landing on August 23. These images, captured by Vikram, have come to light as the spacecraft diligently searches for an ideal landing zone.
Russia’s Luna-25 Setback
These developments follow closely on the heels of Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft. It tragically crashed into the Moon after losing control. Luna-25 was Russia’s first lunar mission in nearly half a century. Aiming to accomplish the historic feat of landing on the Moon’s south pole but encountered complications during its pre-landing orbit manoeuvres.
On Monday, ISRO reported that Vikram, the lander component of Chandrayaan-3. It has been meticulously surveying the landing area and capturing images with its “hazard detection and avoidance” camera. These black-and-white images will play a pivotal role in identifying a safe landing site, devoid of obstacles such as boulders or deep trenches.
The lunar far side, often referred to as the “dark side of the Moon” due to its relative obscurity, is the part of the Moon facing away from Earth. Landing on this uncharted territory is a complex endeavor, making the search for a secure landing site of paramount importance. Scientists believe that this area could potentially contain frozen water and valuable elements, adding to its allure.
ISRO disclosed that the lander module has been successfully manoeuvred into an orbit closer to the Moon, with dimensions of 25km by 134km. Currently, it awaits lunar sunrise before the scheduled landing attempt. The mission’s success would mark a historic milestone, making India the first country to achieve a soft landing on the lunar south pole. This feat has only been accomplished by the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China thus far.
Chandrayaan-3’s Ambitious Goals
Chandrayaan-3 is the third instalment in India’s lunar exploration program, building upon the accomplishments of its predecessors. Remarkably, this mission comes 15 years after India’s inaugural Moon mission in 2008. It made groundbreaking discoveries including the detection of water molecules on the lunar surface and the revelation of a daytime lunar atmosphere.
Chandrayaan-2, launched in July 2019, comprised an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. While the orbiter continues to conduct lunar studies to this day. The lander and rover encountered challenges during their attempted soft landing, resulting in an unfortunate crash.
Chandrayaan-3 Vikram rover embarks on its quest to secure a safe landing site on the south pole of the moon, the global scientific community watches with anticipation. The mission represents a significant stride in India’s pursuit of lunar exploration. Indeed, it could potentially unlock mysteries hidden on the Moon’s uncharted far side.
