India's Chandrayaan-3 Lander Successfully Lands on Moon
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – India's Chandrayaan-3 mission's lander module accomplished a successful touchdown on the lunar surface on Wednesday.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Indians worldwide celebrated this achievement, positioning India as the fourth nation to achieve a spacecraft landing on the Moon, following the Soviet Union, the US, and China. The ISRO live-streamed the event on its YouTube page, according to RT.
Remarkably, the Chandrayaan-3 mission marked the first-ever landing near the lunar south pole. The ISRO executed an automatic sequence for the lander module's descent, activating an algorithm that assumed control once the spacecraft was positioned over the designated landing spot, guiding it safely to the Moon's surface.
The Chandrayaan-3 lander stands approximately 2 meters tall and has a mass slightly exceeding 1,700 kilograms. Together with the rover, they carry six payloads dedicated to exploring the lunar south pole, a region believed to contain water ice, potentially serving as a vital resource for future Moon missions, supplying oxygen, fuel, and water.
On August 18, the ISRO reached a significant milestone by successfully conducting its inaugural deboosting operation, reducing the orbit to 113 kilometers by 157 kilometers. This maneuver occurred one day after the separation of the lander module from the propulsion module, signifying the culmination of a 34-day journey to the Moon. Subsequently, on August 20, the ISRO executed the final phase of deboosting for the lander module, adjusting its orbit to 25 kilometers by 134 kilometers.
In the days preceding the landing, anticipation and excitement swept across India, with places of worship and community centers resonating with prayers. India's diplomatic missions abroad also extended invitations for people to witness the landing through live broadcasts.
India's emergence as a significant player in space exploration coincides with next year's national elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has emphasized the promotion of investment in the space sector, particularly in satellite launches.
During the launch of the Moon mission, Modi underscored that the ISRO was scripting "a new chapter in India's space odyssey," elevating "the aspirations and ambitions of every Indian."
