Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander will undergo a critical deceleration exercise on August 18 after being detached from the propulsion module earlier in the day.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has announced that the landing module, which includes the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, has successfully separated from the propulsion module, marking a milestone milestone in the mission.
The term "deboost" refers to the process of slowing down a spacecraft by reducing thrust, usually to achieve a stable orbit.
This maneuver will allow the Vikram lander to descend to a slightly lower orbit, preparing for its final landing on the lunar surface.
CHANDRAYAAN-3 ON FINAL ACCESS | INTERACT
The deboost operation follows a series of successful maneuvers since the launch of Chandrayaan-3 on July 14, 2023. The spacecraft completed five ground maneuvers from July 15 to July 25. ISRO then performed a trans-Moon injection on August 1, placing the spacecraft in orbit to the Moon, where it arrived on August 5.
The deboost maneuver is an important step to ensure the Vikram lander safely lands on the lunar surface, scheduled for August 23.
Once deceleration is complete, a series of operations will be performed to place Vikram in an orbit where Perilune (the closest point to the Moon) is 30 km away and Apolune (the furthest point from the Moon) is 100 km away. This will set the stage for the most important part of the landing process - reducing the speed of the lander from a height of 30 km on the final landing. The lander is designed to handle a variety of problems, including failure of all its sensors and even two of its engines. Despite these potential challenges, the lander will perform a smooth landing thanks to the ISRO team's robust design and meticulous planning.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission represents India's third lunar exploration effort under ISRO's Chandrayaan program. It aims to build on the scientific results of previous missions, including the detection of water ice on the Moon's surface.
The success of this mission will further strengthen India's position in the global space exploration community.
