Chandrayaan-3: ISRO Reveals Fresh Lunar Images 48 Hours Before Landing
In a remarkable step forward, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) unveiled new images of the Moon's surface just two days before the anticipated landing of Chandrayaan-3. Scheduled for August 23 at approximately 6:04 PM (Indian Standard Time), this mission seeks to explore the lunar south pole region, an area of high interest and scientific potential.
The recent release showcases images captured by the Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC) aboard the Vikram lander. This camera is designed to identify a safe landing site by identifying hazards like boulders and deep trenches during the descent. This sophisticated technology plays a crucial role in ensuring a secure landing devoid of potential obstacles.
TO READ MORE FOR DETAILED STORY: Chandrayaan 3: Vikram Lander's Deboosting for Lunar Landing
The journey of Chandrayaan-3 has been a sequence of meticulous maneuvers and precision operations:
- July 6: ISRO announced the launch date for the Chandrayaan-3 mission as July 14, with liftoff taking place from Sriharikota's second launch pad in Andhra Pradesh.
- July 7: All vehicle electrical tests were successfully completed, showcasing the mission's technical readiness.
- July 11: A 24-hour ‘Launch Rehearsal' was conducted smoothly, further affirming the mission's preparedness.
- July 14: The LVM3 M4 successfully launched Chandrayaan-3 into its intended orbit, marking a significant milestone.
- July 15: The first orbit-raising maneuver, carried out in Bengaluru, elevated the spacecraft to an orbit of 41762 km x 173 km.
- July 22: A successful fourth orbit-raising maneuver, known as Earth-bound perigee firing, placed the spacecraft in an orbit of 71351 km x 233 km.
- July 25: Another successful orbit-raising maneuver contributed to the spacecraft's journey.
- August 1: Chandrayaan-3 achieved a significant milestone by entering the translunar orbit, with an orbit of 288 km x 369328 km.
- August 5: The spacecraft triumphantly entered the lunar orbit, positioning itself at 164 km x 18074 km.
- August 6: The spacecraft's orbit was subsequently adjusted to 170 km x 4,313 km around the Moon.
- August 9: A successful maneuver further lowered the spacecraft's orbit to 174 km x 1437 km.
- August 14: The mission entered the critical orbit circularization phase, maintaining an orbit of 151 km x 179 km.
- August 16: The spacecraft achieved an orbit of 153 km x 163 km following a firing operation.
- August 17: A significant separation took place, where the landing module, housing the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, detached from its propulsion system.
- August 18: A successful ‘deboosting' operation was executed, reducing the spacecraft's orbit to 113 km x 157 km. This maneuver positioned the craft for optimal lunar landing conditions, with Perilune at 30 km and Apolune at 100 km.
- August 20: A final deboosting operation was performed, fine-tuning the landing module's orbit to 25 km x 134 km.
TO READ MORE FOR DETAILED STORY: Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Detaches, Luna-25 Orbits
TO READ MORE FOR DETAILED STORY: Chandrayaan-3: Lunar Orbit Lowering, Moon Soft Landing Ahead
As the anticipated landing date of August 23 approaches, excitement continues to build among space enthusiasts, scientists, and engineers involved in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. If all goes according to plan, the spacecraft is poised to make its historic landing on the lunar surface, marking another remarkable achievement in India's space exploration endeavors.
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