Forget Ind Vs Pak, Lunar Showdown Between Chandrayaan-3 & Russia's Luna-25 Is The Space Race Desis Are Keeping Up With
As Chandrayaan-3 gets close to sticking its landing on the moon's south pole, Russia's Luna-25, which launched into space a few days after the Indian lunar craft, is set to land on the moon before Chandrayaan-3.
Indians have spent year after year in front of their television sets, rooting and praying for Indian players as a critical Indian vs. Pakistan cricket match plays out in a stadium. The rivalry between the two countries has been anticipated for years as natives block their calendars and gather around to cheer for their country.
Well, it looks like recently there has been another rivalry that is trumping the excitement of an Indian vs. Pakistan cricket match. It is none other than the lunar showdown approaching between Russia and India as spacecraft from both countries come close to a successful landing on the South Pole of the Moon.
Chandrayaan-3 & Russia's Luna-25 Race To The Moon
ISRO
The marathon to the moon is being touted as a race as citizens bite their nails in anticipation of which spacecraft will stick its landing on the surface of the moon first.
India¡¯s Chandrayaan-3 launched on July 14 and is currently lowering its orbit preparation after entering the moon¡¯s orbit on August 5. The Indian lunar mission is expected to make its landing on August 23.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
¡ª ISRO (@isro) August 18, 2023
? as captured by the
Lander Position Detection Camera (LPDC)
on August 15, 2023#Chandrayaan_3#Ch3 pic.twitter.com/nGgayU1QUS
While Russia has sent its first lander to the moon since 1976. The country¡¯s space organisation launched Luna 25, the successor to the Soviet-era sample return mission Luna-24, on August 10.
Since the Russian craft was designed to take a shorter and more direct path to the moon, unlike Chandrayaan-3, it is expected to stick to its landing by August 21.
Which Craft Will Land First?
Wikimedia Commons
Even though there is no particular prize at stake, prestige is an important stake in the space race. So, the big question is: which craft will land first? The key factor that will decide which spacecraft will land first is the timing of the sun¡¯s trajectory. According to Space.com, "The sun must be rising over these probes' respective landing spots because sunlight will provide power for the spacecraft on the surface."
As the day approaches, citizens of both countries wait in anticipation and are hoping for the success of their respective lunar missions. Twitter, as expected, responded to the news with memes, and hilarity ensued.
Historic and iconic. Proud of ISRO.
¡ª Vertigo_Warrior (@VertigoWarrior) August 18, 2023
Eagerly waiting for 23rd August
SO WHO WILL HIT MOON FIRST
¡ª ?????? ??? (@joferts) August 11, 2023
Luna and chandrayaan friendship goals pic.twitter.com/j1j8VJuvkC
¡ª Desi Bhayo (@desi_bhayo88) August 11, 2023
¡ª Vikrant | ???????? (@Vikrant__Speaks) August 11, 2023
Tell us what your thoughts are on the lunar race in the comments below.
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