Written by At 6.04 pm today, a historic moment unfolded as Chandrayaan-3 accomplished a soft landing on the lunar surface, solidifying India’s position as the fourth nation in the world to achieve this remarkable feat. The distinguished company of nations that have achieved this includes Russia (then the Soviet Republic), the United States, and China.
The intricate touchdown procedure of the Vikram lander commenced precisely at 5.47 pm, initiating what is commonly known as the nerve-wracking ’20 minutes of terror.’ The Vikram lander is home to the Pragya rover, designed to operate on the lunar terrain for a duration of 14 days, diligently collecting invaluable scientific data.
Leading up to the pivotal moment of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander touching down, the assembly of brilliant minds at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) executed the ‘power descent’ phase. This autonomous landing sequence was flawlessly carried out by the lander itself, with Mission Control playing a hands-off role.
The triumphant soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 stands as a testament to India’s dedication to space exploration, pushing the boundaries of lunar research and technological prowess.