Chandrayaan-3: 'All set to initiate landing,' says ISRO; releases control room photos
As this pivotal event unfolds, ISRO will commence live streaming of the landing process online at 5:20 pm IST. The meticulous operations will be orchestrated at the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) within the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) based in Bengaluru.
FollowIn an eagerly awaited milestone, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is on the brink of triggering the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS), initiating the throttleable engines of Chandrayaan-3. This strategic move will set the spacecraft on a powered descent trajectory toward the lunar surface. The anticipated arrival of Chandrayaan-3's lander module at the designated point is slated for approximately 5:44 pm IST. The climax of this intricate operation will unfold with the lunar south pole as the target, scheduled for a 6:04 pm IST landing on August 23, 2023.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, ISRO wrote: “Chandrayaan-3 Mission: All set to initiate the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS). Awaiting the arrival of Lander Module (LM) at the designated point, around 17:44 Hrs. IST. Upon receiving the ALS command, the LM activates the throttleable engines for powered descent. The mission operations team will keep confirming the sequential execution of commands. The live telecast of operations at MOX begins at 17:20 Hrs. IST."
Once the command for the Automatic Landing Sequence is received, the Lander Module will swiftly activate the throttleable engines, commencing the crucial powered descent.
As this pivotal event unfolds, ISRO will commence live streaming of the landing process online at 5:20 pm IST. The meticulous operations will be orchestrated at the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) within the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) based in Bengaluru.
Chandrayaan-3's intricate descent involves a series of intricate maneuvers. The final 15 minutes of this mission are often referred to as the '15 minutes of terror.' Within this critical phase, Chandrayaan-3 will traverse through distinct stages of descent, encompassing initial preparation, velocity reduction, orientation alteration, attitude stabilization, fine braking, final descent, and the ultimate touchdown.
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These various phases are characterized by different durations: the first phase spans 1,139 seconds, the second extends over 690 seconds, the third coincides with the second phase, the fourth entails a sensitive 10 seconds, the fifth focuses on vertical alignment of the Vikram lander, and the final descent stage will guide Vikram to a height of 150 meters above the lunar surface. This meticulous orchestration underscores ISRO's precision and dedication in charting Chandrayaan-3's successful lunar landing.
