As India awaits the highly anticipated success of ISRO’s ambitious Chandrayaan-3, its third lunar mission, set for a momentous landing on Wednesday evening, a senior official has indicated that the scheduled touchdown could potentially be postponed to August 27.
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This delay might occur if any abnormalities are detected in the health parameters of the Lander Module (LM) during the pivotal phases preceding the ultimate descent.
India stands at the threshold of becoming the fourth nation to master the intricate technique of soft-landing on the moon, following the footsteps of the US, China, and the former USSR.
Achieving a successful landing with Chandrayaan 3 would grant India the distinction of being the first to reach the unexplored southern pole of Earth’s solitary natural satellite.
Scheduled for Wednesday at 6:04 pm, the Lander Module (LM), composed of the lander (Vikram) and the rover (Pragyan), aims to touch down near the Moon’s south polar region. The module will undergo internal evaluations and patiently await the break of dawn at the predetermined landing site.
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ISRO has revealed that the crucial powered descent, vital for achieving a gentle touch on the Moon’s surface, is set to commence around 5:45 pm on Wednesday.
Chandrayaan 3 Landing Delayed?
In the event of any abnormalities detected in the health parameters of the lander module on August 23, ISRO’s Space Applications Centre Director Nilesh Desai stated that the landing might be postponed by four days, potentially to August 27. This cautious approach underscores ISRO’s commitment to ensuring the success of the mission before proceeding with the historic lunar landing.