Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Chandrayaan 3’s Landing on the Moon a Milestone for India

Chandrayaan 3 Landing on the Moon

ISRO has unveiled the intricate landing procedure for the Vikram Lander module of Chandrayaan-3, showcasing its daring attempt to achieve a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole. This endeavor is especially challenging due to the difficulty of landing softly on the lunar surface, particularly around its poles.

Scheduled for August 23, the last 15 minutes of the landing sequence are pivotal. During this window, the lander faces the tricky task of transitioning from a horizontal flight at high speeds to a vertical orientation, setting the stage for a gentle descent onto the Moon.

This 15-minute period is crucial to the mission’s success. In a past attempt in July 2019 for the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had to cancel due to challenges encountered during this phase, which was dubbed “15 minutes of terror.”

ISRO Chairman S Somanath recently shared insights into the upcoming landing. The lander begins the process nearly horizontal, around 90 degrees from the vertical landing position it needs. The challenge lies in smoothly maneuvering the lander into the vertical position, a feat that requires meticulous calculations and algorithmic precision to conserve fuel and ensure accurate distance calculations.

Here’s a breakdown of the landing procedure:

Rough Braking Phase: The lander starts at a high horizontal speed of 6048 km/h. The primary goal is to reduce this speed to 1,290 km/h horizontally and 61 m/s (approximately 220 km/h) vertically. This phase, known as the “rough braking phase,” should last around 690 seconds, during which the lander descends from 30 kilometers to 7.42 km above the lunar surface, covering a distance of about 713.5 km.

Attitude Hold Phase: As the lander reaches 7.42 km altitude, it enters the “attitude hold phase” for about 10 seconds. In this phase, the lander shifts its orientation from horizontal to vertical while moving about 3.48 kilometers across the lunar surface. Altitude drops to 6.8 km, with horizontal and vertical speeds at 336 m/s and 59 m/s, respectively.

Fine Braking Phase: The “fine braking phase” lasts about 175 seconds, wherein the lander completes its transition to a vertical position. It covers the final 28.52 km to the landing site, reaching an altitude of around 800-1,000 meters. Ideally, the lander’s speed drops to 0 m/s for a calm landing.

Learnings from Chandrayaan-2’s failure have been instrumental in refining Chandrayaan-3’s approach. The key improvement lies in managing the critical transition between the “attitude hold phase” and the “fine braking phase.” In case sensors or systems fail, the lander, if its propulsion system remains functional, is designed to attempt a landing. This robust design ensures a degree of resilience to handle contingencies.

Despite the intricate planning, the landing will have a significant impact. The Vikram Lander will touch down at a speed of 3 meters per second (about 10.8 km/h), equivalent to a safe speed for instrument preservation. However, this speed is sufficiently forceful that if a human were subjected to it, their bones would be crushed. The module’s combined mass of over 2000 kgs, even on the Moon, emphasizes the need for a controlled landing. The lander can handle a tilt of up to 12 degrees during landing, adding an extra layer of security to accommodate potential variability.

In sum, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to master the complex procedure of executing a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole. With improvements based on Chandrayaan-2’s experiences, the mission is poised to make history, but the challenges and risks remain formidable.


Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Related Articles

Top Trending

20 Best Alternatives to WPC18 with Its Dashboard Login in 2024
20 Best Alternatives to WPC18 with Its Dashboard Login [Image Guide]
Jerry Seinfeld Political Correctness Comedy
Jerry Seinfeld Blames Political Correctness for Stifling Modern Comedy
famke janssen face transformation
Speculations About Famke Janssen Face Transformation [Truth or Rumor]
Jamal Murray Game-Winner Nuggets Lakers
Jamal Murray is a Game-Winner! Nuggets Defeat Lakers in First-Round Upset
Britney Spears Jamie Spears Settlement Avoids Trial
Britney and Jamie Spears Settlement Prevents Lengthy, Revealing Trial

LIFESTYLE

Anne hathaway sobriety journey
Anne Hathaway Celebrates Five Years of Sobriety
Most Expensive Handbags for Women in the World
Elegance Redefined: 10 Most Expensive Handbags for Women in the World
Gift Ideas for Men
10 Thoughtful and Unique Gift Ideas for Men Who Have Everything
pohela boishakh 2024
Pohela Boishakh: Celebrating Bengali Culture and Heritage Festivities
Korean Beauty Secrets
10 Korean Beauty Secrets for Youthful Energy: Stay Young & Vibrant

Entertainment

Jerry Seinfeld Political Correctness Comedy
Jerry Seinfeld Blames Political Correctness for Stifling Modern Comedy
famke janssen face transformation
Speculations About Famke Janssen Face Transformation [Truth or Rumor]
Britney Spears Jamie Spears Settlement Avoids Trial
Britney and Jamie Spears Settlement Prevents Lengthy, Revealing Trial
Anne hathaway sobriety journey
Anne Hathaway Celebrates Five Years of Sobriety
disney mufasa the lion king trailer released
Disney Unleashes First Trailer for "Mufasa: The Lion King"

GAMING

20 Best Alternatives to WPC18 with Its Dashboard Login in 2024
20 Best Alternatives to WPC18 with Its Dashboard Login [Image Guide]
F95zone
How to Get Started on F95zone and Increase Community Interaction in 2024 [Gamer's Guide]
Ghost of Tsushima pc
Ghost of Tsushima PC Release Date, Features, Requirements, and More
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2, Gameplay Mode Guide
my first experience with unblocked games premium
My First Unblocked Games Premium Experience in 2024 [Video Guide]

BUSINESS

Japanese Yen Dollar Exchange Rate Surge
Japanese Yen Rebounds Strongly From 1990 Low Against the Dollar
How to Choose Commercial Mover
How to Choose a Commercial Mover for Your Company
optimizing restaurant revenue beyond menu
Optimizing Restaurant Revenue: Strategies Beyond the Menu
Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond
Billionaire CEO Weds Ex-WWE Diva at Egyptian Pyramids: Exclusive Photos
Kotak Mahindra Bank Share Price Down 10%
Kotak Mahindra Bank Share Price Down 10% - Analysts Adjust Targets Following RBI Move

TECHNOLOGY

How to Use Pixwox for Anonymous Instagram Story Downloading in 2024
A Step-By-Step Guide to Use Pixwox for Instagram Story Download [50 Alternatives]
pdfdrive
PDFDrive Benefits, Features, Case Study, and 75 Top Alternatives [User Review]
windows 11 driver recovery guide
Best Ways to Recover Deleted Drivers on Windows 11
benefits of changelog software
What is Changelog Software and What Are Its Benefits?
is myflexbot safe in 2024
Is Myflexbot Safe in 2024 [A Comprehensive Case Study]

HEALTH

King Charles Resumes Duties After Health Update
King Charles Resumes Duties After Health Update on Cancer Battle
What to Do When Testosterone Levels Drop
What to Do When Testosterone Levels Drop Too Low and How to Treat
Can Tonsils Grow Back After Being Removed? - Tymoff
Can Tonsils Grow Back After Being Removed? - Tymoff
impact of emotional trauma on chronic pain
Who is Most Affected by Emotional Trauma-Induced Chronic Pain?
Intermittent Fasting
Unlocking the Power of Intermittent Fasting: Expert Tips Revealed