Vikram, India's Lunar Lander of Chandrayaan-3, Shares Stunning Close-Up Images of the Moon
Launched on July 14, the Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft accomplished lunar orbit insertion by August 5
On Thursday 17 August, 2023, the lander module of the Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully detached from the propulsion module. The following day, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released a video compilation featuring a series of images captured by the Lander Imager Camera-1, showcasing moments just after the separation event.
Following its separation from the propulsion module, the lander module embarked on a trajectory that placed it in a 10-kilometer orbit encircling the Moon. The journey commenced with a launch from the Sathish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota on July 14. Employing a sequence of maneuvers within Earth's orbit, the spacecraft transitioned into a lunar orbit on August 5. Subsequently, orbit reduction maneuvers were executed on August 6, 9, and 14 while situated in lunar orbit. These actions set the stage for the mission's fifth and final lunar-bound maneuver.
Within the video compilation, there is an image encompassing the Fabry crater, while another frames the Giordano Bruno and Harkhebi J craters. Notably, these craters are located on the far side of the Moon. In a specific crater image, the Earth graces the backdrop from a distant vantage point. Additionally, an alternate image features a vague luminous entity against the profound obsidian backdrop, an emblem of the propulsion module as designated by the space agency.
Launched on July 14, the Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft accomplished lunar orbit insertion by August 5. This milestone was followed by orbit reduction maneuvers on August 6, 9, and 14. On August 16, the spacecraft successfully executed its fifth and final lunar-bound orbit maneuver. Subsequently, the separation between the lander module and the propulsion module was confirmed on August 17.
The forthcoming step entails a "deboost" procedure for the lander. This procedure aims to position the lander in an orbit where its proximity to the Moon's surface ranges from 30 kilometers at its closest to 100 kilometers at its farthest. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to undertake a delicate landing attempt from this orbit on Wednesday, August 23.