India's third lunar mission, Chandrayaan 3, successfully made a soft landing on the Moon's south pole on August 23, 2023. The lander, Vikram, and rover, Pragyan, touched down at 6:04 PM IST (12:34 PM UTC) after a 17-minute descent from lunar orbit.
The landing was a major accomplishment for India's space program, and it puts the country in a select group of nations that have successfully landed on the Moon. The United States, the Soviet Union, China, and Japan are the only other countries to have achieved this feat.
Chandrayaan 3's landing was not without its challenges. The lander had to navigate a complex terrain of craters and mountains, and it had to slow down from a speed of 6,000 kilometers per hour to just a few kilometers per hour before touchdown.
The success of Chandrayaan 3's landing is a testament to the skill and determination of India's scientists and engineers. It is also a major boost for India's space program, and it puts the country in a strong position to achieve even greater things in the future.
What is Chandrayaan 3?
Chandrayaan 3 is a lunar exploration mission launched by India's Space Research Organization (ISRO) on July 14, 2023. The mission consists of the lander, Vikram, and a rover, Pragyan.
The lander is designed to touch down on the Moon's south pole, where it will deploy the rover. The rover will then explore the lunar surface for up to 14 days, collecting data and images.
Why is Chandrayaan 3 important?
Chandrayaan 3 is important for the number of reasons. First, it will help India to further its understanding of a Moon. Second, it will help India to develop its space technology. Third, it will boost India's prestige as a space-faring nation.
The next steps for Chandrayaan 3 are to deploy the rover and begin its exploration of the Moon. The rover will collect data and images of the lunar surface, and it will also conduct experiments to study the Moon's geology and environment.
The mission is expected to last for up to 14 days. After that, the lander and rover will be turned off and left on the Moon.
Conclusion
The safe landing of Chandrayaan 3 is a major accomplishment for India's space program. It is a testament to the skill and determination of India's scientists and engineers, and it puts the country in a strong position to achieve even greater things in the future.