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The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft's Lander Imager Camera 4 captured this view of the lunar surface on August 20. |
India’s Chandrayaan-3 Spacecraft Nearing Moon’s Surface in Anticipation of Historic Landing Bid, Showcasing Breathtaking Visuals en Route
India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is elegantly gliding towards the moon’s terrain as it prepares for a groundbreaking landing endeavor, capturing awe-inspiring imagery during its journey. On Tuesday, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) confirmed that Chandrayaan-3 is meticulously adhering to its schedule with a seamless trajectory. The spacecraft is primed to commence its final descent towards the moon’s surface on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. IST (8:15 a.m. ET).
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) August 22, 2023
The mission is on schedule.
Systems are undergoing regular checks.
Smooth sailing is continuing.
The Mission Operations Complex (MOX) is buzzed with energy & excitement!
The live telecast of the landing operations at MOX/ISTRAC begins at 17:20 Hrs. IST… pic.twitter.com/Ucfg9HAvrY
Should this endeavor triumph, it will herald the inaugural soft landing on the lunar expanse accomplished by an Indian spacecraft, positioning India as the fourth nation in history to achieve this remarkable feat. Presently, only the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union have achieved controlled landings of spacecraft on the moon.
India’s space agency is poised to livestream the momentous landing attempt, commencing at 5:20 p.m. IST (7:50 a.m. ET) on Wednesday.
To mark the eve of Chandrayaan-3’s imminent landing, ISRO shared captivating photos and footage captured by the spacecraft’s cameras.
One striking aerial vista of the moon was captured from an altitude of 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) above the lunar surface, showcasing distinctive features like Mare Marginis — a substantial dark marking resulting from ancient asteroid impacts on the farthest rim of the moon’s visible side. Another image, taken on August 20 from a considerably closer perspective as the spacecraft swiftly traversed by, provided an up-close view of the moon’s dusty gray topography.
The spacecraft adeptly aligns its orientation by cross-referencing the images amassed by its cameras with a pre-programmed lunar map integrated into its onboard computer, as elucidated by the space agency.
Chandrayaan, derived from Sanskrit and signifying “moon vehicle,” embarked on its journey from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, located in India’s southern Andhra Pradesh state, on July 14. The spacecraft has meticulously approached the lunar surface through a gradual, systematic approach.
This mission represents India’s second endeavor to successfully execute a soft moon landing. The inaugural attempt in 2019, featuring Chandrayaan-2, culminated in a crash upon the lunar surface due to software anomalies and challenges in braking during its descent.