Chandrayaan-3 hits milestone as Vikram lander detaches from spacecraft's propulsion module
Chandrayaan-3 on Thursday achieved a significant milestone as the Vikram lander detached from the spacecraft's propulsion module. The spacecraft will remain in orbit for a few more days before the lander and rover, Pragyaan, attempt to land on the Moon on August 23. If successful, this achievement will significantly bolster India's space ambitions.
No other nation has achieved a successful landing on the Moon's south pole, making this a groundbreaking moment. Chandrayaan-3 marks India's determined resurgence after past setbacks and disappointments. Not only ISRO and the nation's leaders, but also its citizens, are eager for a successful soft landing that could elevate India to new heights in this field." The Indian Space Research Organisation had announced that the imminent separation of the landing module, housing Vikram and Pragyan, from the propulsion module by ISRO, will take place on August 17.
From now on, they will set off for their own journeys. On August 16, the Indian Space Research Organisation said that Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has successfully undergone fifth and final lunar orbit manoeuvre. Post the manoeuvre accomplished on Wednesday, another manoeuvre is slated for Thursday, designed for the separation of the lander.
This action will require Vikram to be repositioned into an elliptical orbit. Subsequent manoeuvres will be executed by ISRO to precisely adjust the landing module's trajectory to achieve this feat. The meticulously planned de-boost manoeuvres are projected to position Vikram into an orbit characterized by a Perilune (closest point to the Moon) of 30km and an Apolune (farthest point from the Moon) of 100km.
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