Chandrayaan 3 - From Earth to Moon: A Celestial Success - Triumphant Cry from the Craters!!!
August 23, 2023
Finally, India became the first nation to set foot on the south pole of the Moon. Yes, ISRO's moon mission Chandrayaan 3 is a success.
I am one among the millions glued to the ISRO Official YouTube channel to witness the historic landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the Moon.
Around 6 PM Chandrayaan 3 landed successfully on the Moon. Indian Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi congratulated the entire ISRO team for the success.
On this day August 23, 2023, the major newspapers display headlines to celebrate the success of both Pragyananda R (World Chess Cup) and Pragyaan of Chandrayaan 3. While major social media platforms share live updates about the ISRO's lunar mission, there are posts showcasing the prayers of people across the country for the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3.
As Chandrayaan 3 lifted from Sathish Dhawan Space Centre - Sriharikota on July 14 2023, let's look at the key milestones (meaning: important achievements).
July 15 2023 - July 25, 2023 Orbit-raising maneuvers - EarthBound Firings performed. (Orbit-raising Maneuver meaning: Planned and controlled movement to change the orbit.)
August 01 2023 - Translunar injection is performed. (meaning sending the spacecraft from Earth's orbit to a trajectory that will take the spacecraft to the Moon.)
August 05 2023 - Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) successful (meaning placing the spacecraft in the lunar orbit)
August 06 2023 - August 16 2023 - Moon-bound Maneuvers (meaning changing the lunar orbit).
August 17 2023 - Lander module separated from Propulsion module.
August 18 2023 - Lander module First Deboosting. (deboosting means reducing the speed).
August 20 2023 - Lander module Second and final Deboosting.
August 21 2023 - Chandrayaan 2 welcomed Chandrayaan 3 with a message "Welcome Buddy!"
August 23, 2023 - The Lander module activates the throttleable engines for powered descent, which happens in 4 broad phases - Rough Braking Phase, Hold Attitude Hold Phase, Fine Braking Phase, and Terminal Descent Phase. Around 6 PM Chandrayaan 3 successfully landed on the south pole of the moon.
Throughout the journey of Chandrayaan 3 the word "Soft Landing" is used. Now lets understand what soft landing means. Before that, Luna 25- Russia's lunar spacecraft crash landed on the moon surface on August 20, 2023 because of failed orbital maneuver.
Soft landing means reducing the speed of the spacecraft for a controlled descent and landing of the spacecraft on the moon.
Source: Chandrayaan 3 Lander Powered Descent Profile
As Chandrayaan 3 touches down, Moon welcomes our Lander and Rover Vikram and Pragyaan for a Moonwalk.
After landing the rover module Pragyaan would roll out of the lander module Vikram to study the lunar profile for mineral composition.
There is more to come, Stay here!
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