The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) achieved a major milestone in its Chandrayaan-3 mission as the ‘Vikram’ lander module successfully separated from the propulsion module. The Vikram lander, along with the rover Pragyan, had been journeying together for the past month from India’s Sriharikota to the Moon’s orbit. This separation signifies a critical step towards the spacecraft’s goal of achieving a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole.
ISRO shared the exciting news on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Thanks for the ride, mate!” The Lander Module (LM) has been successfully separated from the Propulsion Module (PM). The next phase involves the LM descending to a slightly lower orbit through a planned deboosting maneuver scheduled for tomorrow around 1600 Hrs., IST.”
The upcoming soft landing on the Moon’s south pole is slated for 5:47 pm on Wednesday, marking a historic moment for India’s space exploration endeavors. If successful, Chandrayaan-3 will make India the fourth country in the world, after the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union, to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface.
The lunar south pole has drawn global interest due to its challenging terrain and potential scientific significance. The area is believed to contain substantial ice deposits, which could be invaluable for extracting resources like fuel, oxygen, and drinking water. While the rough lunar landscape poses difficulties for landing, reaching the south pole is particularly sought after for its potential resources.
As India strives to achieve this milestone, it faces competition from other space-faring nations. Russia’s Luna-25 mission and China’s Chang’e 6-CNSA are both vying to make lunar landings, with China focused on returning samples from the Moon’s south pole to advance its ongoing lunar exploration efforts.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission represents a significant undertaking by ISRO to demonstrate safe and successful lunar soft landing capabilities. Its success would not only position India as a key player in space exploration but also mark a remarkable feat in scientific and technological advancement. Soft-landing on the Moon’s south pole holds immense promise for future space endeavors, opening avenues for resource utilization and deeper lunar exploration.
As the world watches, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission stands on the cusp of making history by achieving an unprecedented lunar feat, a testament to the country’s growing prowess in space exploration.