India's space agency has embarked on its third lunar mission, seeking to uncover the mysteries of the Moon's far side and land a rover on the little-explored south pole. This mission, known as Chandrayaan-3, is a significant step in India's space exploration journey. Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released images captured by Vikram, Chandrayaan-3's lander, which has entered the final phase of its mission.
Vikram, the lander, carries a rover onboard and is scheduled to make its landing attempt on August 23rd. The mission aims to gather crucial data from the Moon's south pole, a region shrouded in mystery due to its limited exploration. This endeavor follows a recent setback where Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the Moon while attempting to land on the south pole.
The most recent images sent by Vikram are a result of meticulous mapping of the landing area using its "hazard detection and avoidance" camera. These black-and-white images play a pivotal role in identifying a secure landing location devoid of obstacles like boulders and trenches. Landing on the lunar far side, often referred to as the "dark side of the Moon," poses unique challenges due to limited visibility and communication with Earth.
The lunar far side, which perpetually faces away from Earth, holds immense scientific interest. It is believed to potentially contain frozen water and valuable resources. Chandrayaan-3's mission could unveil groundbreaking discoveries about this enigmatic lunar region.
ISRO recently confirmed that the lander module has been positioned in a closer orbit to the Moon, awaiting the lunar sunrise to execute the landing. If successful, India would become the first nation to achieve a soft landing on the lunar south pole, joining the ranks of the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China. Chandrayaan-3 represents India's continued commitment to lunar exploration, building on the successes of its earlier lunar missions.
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This mission comes 15 years after India's first lunar foray in 2008, which led to the discovery of water molecules on the Moon's surface and the establishment of its daytime atmosphere. While Chandrayaan-2, launched in July 2019, faced challenges during its landing attempt, its orbiter continues to orbit and study the Moon to this day. Chandrayaan-3 signifies India's determination to push the boundaries of space exploration and deepen our understanding of the lunar world.
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