Chandrayaan-3: ISRO to perform deboost maneuver on lander module today
What's the story
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is making steady progress toward its target destination, the Moon. The mission has completed several orbital maneuvers since its launch on July 14. Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled a critical deboosting maneuver for the mission's lander module. This process entails slowing down the module to position it in an orbit with a perilune (closest point to the Moon) of 30km and an apolune (farthest point from the Moon) of 100km.
Details
Lunar landing is scheduled for August 23
Named in honor of Indian space program pioneer Vikram Sarabhai, the lander module successfully separated from the propulsion module yesterday. The propulsion module will continue its journey in the current orbit. Meanwhile, the lander module will undergo a series of maneuvers to position it for landing on the Moon, which is scheduled for August 23. The most crucial aspect will be decelerating the module's velocity to its final landing position.
Objectives
The mission's estimated cost is around Rs. 615 crore
Chandrayaan-3's primary objectives are to achieve a safe and soft landing on the Moon, roving, and performing in-situ scientific experiments. If successful, India will join an elite group of nations, including the US, Russia, and China, as the fourth country to accomplish a soft lunar landing. Initially slated for launch in 2021, Chandrayaan-3 faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Development for the mission is said to have started in 2020 and its estimated cost is around Rs. 615 crore.