Historic Moment for Indians
The dream of millions of Indians has turned into reality as Chandrayaan 3, India’s lunar mission, successfully accomplished a soft landing on the moon’s surface. The tricolor flag waved with pride over the region of Jabilli as India marked its victory in Ningi.
ISRO’s Remarkable Journey
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made a remarkable achievement with its Chandra Mandal mission. The Chandrayaan 3 lander module, launched by ISRO, made its descent onto the surface of Zabili, a region on the moon’s surface, today at 6:04 PM.
Vikram Lander’s Precise Descent
The Vikram lander of Chandrayaan 3 made its descent from the lunar orbiter in a meticulously planned sequence. The lander transitioned from an orbital trajectory to a vertical position as it approached the moon’s surface, effectively reaching a stationary position.
Gradual Landing Achieved
Subsequently, the Vikram lander gradually descended onto the moon’s surface, overcoming multiple stages with precision. This achievement not only marks India’s entry into a select group of nations to achieve a soft landing on the moon but also distinguishes India as the pioneer in landing on the moon’s South Pole.
Upcoming Endeavors and Challenges
With the successful soft landing, questions regarding the next steps arise. What will the Vikram lander do on the moon? What are ISRO’s plans after this achievement? When will the rover begin its exploration and data collection? These questions are being actively discussed and deliberated.
Pragyan Rover’s Introduction
The Pragyan rover, released from the Vikram lander module, emerges as a key player in this mission. ISRO named the rover “Pragyan.” It smoothly descended the lander’s leg ramp, capturing an iconic moment. Pawan K Goenka, Chairman of Inspace, shared an image capturing this significant event.
Strategic Delay for Rover’s Departure
Interestingly, the rover’s departure wasn’t immediate after the lander’s touchdown. ISRO’s decision to delay the rover’s release was based on a practical consideration. The dust stirred up during the landing needs time to settle, and ISRO took this precaution to ensure the rover’s safety.
Rover’s Debut
While the Chandrayaan 3 lander touched down at 6:04 PM, the Pragyan rover made its debut exactly three hours later, at 9:04 PM. This calculated delay showcases ISRO’s meticulous planning and commitment to ensuring the mission’s success.