Chandrayaan-3 Makes Historic Soft Landing on Lunar Surface, India Achieves Milestone
Chandrayaan-3 achieved a historic feat by successfully landing softly on the lunar surface, making India the fourth country in the world to accomplish this after the US, China, and the former Soviet Union. Notably, India is the sole nation to achieve a precise landing on the moon’s south pole.
After a 40-day-long journey covering vast distances, Chandrayaan-3 approached the moon, with the Vikram lander initiating its groundbreaking mission at 5.45 pm Indian time. At 6.04 pm, the lander initiated a gradual descent onto the moon’s south pole.
During a challenging 17-minute period on the lunar surface, the lander underwent rigorous testing, during which it had to make crucial decisions autonomously. The engines were activated at the correct altitude and time, and the lander effectively managed its fuel consumption. Before touchdown, the Vikram lander conducted scans of the lunar terrain to identify features like hills and depressions.
India celebrated as the Vikram lander successfully made contact with the lunar soil at 6.04 pm, having withstood various challenges. Subsequently, the rover is expected to disembark from the lander and explore the lunar surface. The lunar day-night cycle, lasting fourteen days on Earth, poses a unique trial for the rover.
Russia’s Luna 25 mission encountered a recent setback with a crash landing attempt. Similarly, India’s Chandrayaan-2 faced challenges four years ago. However, Chandrayaan-3 has surpassed these hurdles, marking significant progress.
