Chandrayaan-2 orbiter photographs Chandrayaan-3 lander on Moon
What's the story
We have yet another interesting update on the Chandrayaan-3.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released pictures of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander at its lunar touchdown site.
The photos have been snapped by Chandrayaan-2's orbiter, which has the best resolution camera of any mission orbiting the Moon, per ISRO.
The space agency is using Chandrayaan-2's orbiter as a backup for communications with the lander.
Twitter Post
Take a look at Chandrayaan-3's touchdown spot on the Moon
Chandrayaan-3 Mission update :
I spy you! 🙂
Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter
📸photoshoots
Chandrayaan-3 Lander!
Chandrayaan-2's
Orbiter High-Resolution Camera (OHRC),
-- the camera with the best resolution anyone currently has around the moon 🌖--
spots Chandrayaan-3 Lander
after the… pic.twitter.com/tIF0Hd6G0i — LVM3-M4/CHANDRAYAAN-3 MISSION (@chandrayaan_3) August 25, 2023
Update
Chandrayaan-3 is the first to reach Moon's south pole
Chandrayaan-3 became the first mission to touchdown near the Moon's south pole on August 23.
This particular lunar region has been of great scientific interest as it is believed to contain water ice. We will soon find out for sure if that's the case.
The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover have already started exploring this mysterious polar region on the Moon.
Investigations
Vikram lander and Pragyan rover are carrying scientific payloads
By means of its onboard scientific instruments, the Vikram lander is conducting a slew of investigations. These include scanning for moonquakes, observing the Moon's charged atmosphere, and measuring the lunar surface temperature.
On the other hand, the Pragyan rover's payloads will help with assessing the mineral composition of the Moon's surface.
The mission's exploration activities will continue for two weeks.
Twitter Post
Here's a glimpse of lander during descent on August 23
Here is how the Lander Imager Camera captured the moon's image just prior to touchdown.#Chandrayaan3 #ISRO pic.twitter.com/K6922vjlQi
— LVM3-M4/CHANDRAYAAN-3 MISSION (@chandrayaan_3) August 24, 2023