Chandrayaan-3 Poised to Make Historic Lunar Landing Today

BENGALURU: In a Monumental stride towards space exploration, India's Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is on the brink of achieving an unparalleled feat as it is all set to land the Chandrayaan-3 lander module on the lunar surface as part of its third lunar mission. With this remarkable endeavor, India is poised to etch its name in the annals of history, becoming the world's first nation to reach the uncharted South Pole of Earth's celestial companion, the Moon.

Scheduled for Wednesday evening, the daring landing is spearheaded by the 'Vikram' lander, carrying the aspirations of a nation and the legacy of ISRO's previous endeavors. ISRO, ahead of the imminent landing, confirmed that the Chandrayaan-3 mission is proceeding according to plan. The atmosphere at the 'Mission Operation Complex' situated at the 'ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network' is palpably charged with enthusiasm as experts and engineers fine-tune every aspect of this pivotal operation.

A Recent update from ISRO stated, "The mission is progressing as per schedule. Systems are being continuously tested. Uninterrupted operation continues.” The excitement has reached heights as the live broadcast of Chandrayaan-3's momentous landing will commence at 5:20 pm today. The lander module, home to both the lander 'Vikram' and the rover 'Pragyan', is anticipated to delicately touch down near the Moon's south polar region at precisely 6:04 pm today.

Universities and colleges across the nation have received a call to action from the University Grants Commission, urging them to inspire students and educators alike to witness this historic event. The landing holds immense significance, as it represents India's persistent pursuit of scientific excellence and space exploration.

On Tuesday, ISRO also unveiled images of the lunar surface captured by the Chandrayaan-3 mission's 'Lander Position Detection Camera' (NPDC) on August 19. These images play a pivotal role in guiding the landing module's trajectory and ensuring its safe descent.

After Successfully landing the robotic lunar rover, India will secure a spot as the fourth nation in history to softly touch down on the Moon's surface. While the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China have all achieved 'soft landings,' India's endeavor stands out for its focus on the Moon's enigmatic south polar region.

Embarking on its 41-day journey, the Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched on July 14 at a cost of Rs 600 crores via the 'Launch Vehicle Mark-3' (LVM) rocket. The primary goal is a 'soft landing' on the Moon's south polar region, an endeavor never before achieved by any nation.