Chandrayaan-3 eyes lunar landing, Isro aces second deboosting operation

India's ambitious lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, took a significant step on Sunday and completed its second deboosting operation. It brought the Vikram Lander into an orbit of 25*134 kilometers above the Moon.

This critical maneuver brought the spacecraft closer to its intended soft-landing on the surface of the Moon in the coming days.

Isro had on Friday conducted the first deboosting operation and brought the Vikram Lander into an orbit of 113*157 kilometers.

Chandrayaan-3, the third mission in India's Chandrayaan series, is dedicated to expanding our understanding of the Moon's composition, geology, and potential resources. The mission aims to further India's reputation as a formidable player in the realm of space exploration.

The second deboosting operation was a meticulously calculated maneuver that involved altering the spacecraft's trajectory to lower its orbital altitude. This will enable Chandrayaan-3 to transition to a much closer, circular, and tighter orbit around the Moon, allowing for more precise observations ahead of the landing procedure.

CHANDRAYAAN-3 ON FINAL APPROACH | INTERACTIVE

The Chandrayaan-3 mission follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, each contributing unique insights into lunar science.

Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, made a significant discovery when it found evidence of water molecules on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-2, although not achieving its intended soft landing on the Moon's south pole in 2019, demonstrated India's capabilities in lunar orbit and contributed valuable data to the global scientific community.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission has faced its share of challenges, particularly in learning from the experiences of Chandrayaan-2. Isro has been meticulous in its preparations, addressing past issues to ensure the success of this mission.

The Indian space agency is committed to achieving a smooth transition into lunar orbit and conducting a series of scientific experiments that will contribute valuable data to our understanding of the Moon.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission has captured the imagination of not only the Indian populace but the global scientific community. Its success is expected to bolster India's standing in space exploration and enhance our comprehension of our celestial neighbor.

As the Chandrayaan-3 mission continues its journey, space enthusiasts and scientists alike eagerly await the results of the second deboosting operation on August 20. With every maneuver, the mission edges closer to unlocking the Moon's secrets and deepening our understanding of the universe.