Chandrayaan-3 Spacecraft Departs Earth's Orbit, Sets Course For Moon's South Pole

Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has officially left Earth's orbit, getting closer to the Moon. "Next stop: the moon," ISRO said in a Tweet.

In four days, Chandrayaan-3 will reach the Moon's orbit. Starting August 5, the spacecraft will enter the lunar orbit and start orbiting the Moon - the same way it has been orbiting the Earth till now.

ISRO

Slowly, the spacecraft will enter a circular orbit around the Moon and then make its final descent that is expected to take place on August 23.

Next stop: the Moon

Over the next two and a half weeks, Chandrayaan-3 would orbit the Moon as it prepares to land on the lunar surface. The final orbit of the spacecraft would be 100 x 100 km around the moon. After this stage, the lander will separate from the propulsion module and begin its descent to the surface.

The spacecraft will attempt to land on the Moon's less explored south pole. This region is especially of interest owing to the fact that it gets no sunlight, meaning that it could be home to lots of ice and precious minerals.

Unsplash

Also read:?Chandrayaan-3's Final Orbit-Raising Manoeuvre Complete, On Course For Moon Exploration

If the mission is successful, India would become the fourth country after the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union to land on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-2 was also meant to achieve these objectives, but failed to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface, crash landing just 2.1 kilometres from the surface.

PTI

Also read:?Chandrayaan-3: Fourth Orbit-Raising Manoeuvre Brings?Mission Closer To The Moon

To ensure success this time, many improvements have been made to the lander - including sturdier legs, more solar panels, one less engine, and the option to land on a larger area.

Chandrayaan-3's success would mark the first soft landing near the Moon's southern pole. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.