In an event that stirred waves of excitement and pride across India, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) achieved a monumental milestone.

The country’s latest lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, successfully made its landing on the moon’s surface near the south pole at 12:33 P.M. UTC on August 23, marking India as the fourth nation to accomplish a soft lunar landing.

This historic event followed the launch of Chandrayaan-3 on July 14, showcasing ISRO’s determination to conquer lunar exploration following the previous setback of Chandrayaan-2 in 2019.

The journey of Chandrayaan-3 to the moon was a test of precision and technological prowess, as the lander had to execute its descent autonomously due to the significant signal delay between it and Earth.

This required Vikram, the lander, to meticulously manage its engines to reduce its high orbital velocity to zero while keeping its trajectory aligned for a safe touchdown.

This feat was achieved through a series of calculated engine firings based on real-time measurements of distance, velocity, and orientation.

Learning from the past, ISRO incorporated numerous enhancements and safeguards into Chandrayaan-3 compared to its predecessor.

According to S. Somanath, ISRO’s chief, the mission featured upgraded subsystems including a more robust guidance, navigation, and control system, and additional fuel reserves.

These improvements were rigorously tested through various ground simulations to ensure their efficacy.

The significance of Chandrayaan-3’s success cannot be overstated, especially considering the challenges faced by lunar missions globally.

With several recent attempts by other countries resulting in failure, Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing stands as a testament to the advancements and capabilities developed by ISRO’s team.

The descent of Chandrayaan-3 involved a complex four-phase operation starting with a “rough braking” phase to reduce its horizontal velocity significantly.

This was followed by an “attitude hold” phase for stabilizing the lander and allowing its sensors to survey the lunar surface.

The mission’s design included redundant altimetry systems to overcome potential measurement anomalies over varied terrain—a lesson learned from the misadventures of previous missions.

Chandrayaan-3’s journey to the moon also highlighted the importance of precise navigation.

To address this, the mission employed a laser doppler velocimeter (LDV) for accurate velocity measurements relative to the lunar surface, minimizing navigation errors that plagued earlier missions.

The final moments before touchdown were critical.

Chandrayaan-3 executed a “fine braking” phase, enabling a brief hover to assess the landing area and make necessary adjustments.

This process involved comparing live images of the moon’s surface with preloaded maps to identify a safe landing zone.

If discrepancies were found, the lander was programmed to autonomously choose a safer location based on real-time hazard detection.

Upon a successful landing, Chandrayaan-3 initiated its primary mission to explore the lunar south pole using its onboard instruments and rover.

This area of the moon is of particular interest due to its potential water ice reserves, which could support future manned missions and lunar base setups.

The success of Chandrayaan-3 propels India further into the international space exploration arena, aligning with global efforts to understand and utilize the moon’s resources.

Following the mission, India signed the Artemis Accords, fostering collaboration with the United States and other spacefaring nations.

Looking forward, India plans to continue its lunar exploration in partnership with Japan, focusing on the moon’s south pole’s water ice through the planned LUPEX mission.

As the world watches, India’s achievements in space exploration not only demonstrate its technological capabilities but also contribute significantly to our collective understanding of the moon.

With Chandrayaan-3, India has carved its name among the elite group of nations capable of lunar exploration, setting the stage for future missions that will further unravel the mysteries of our closest celestial neighbor.