The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled a captivating collection of lunar images, captured by the Lander Imager Camera-1 of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Following the separation of the lander module from the propulsion module on a recent Thursday, ISRO shared a video montage showcasing these mesmerizing lunar vistas.
The intricate process of separation propelled the lander module into a 10-kilometre orbit encircling the Moon. Launched from the Sathish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota on July 14, the Chandrayaan-3 mission underwent a series of precise maneuvers while still within Earth’s orbit. On August 5, the spacecraft transitioned into a lunar orbit, setting the stage for further orbital adjustments on August 6, 9, and 14.
The recently released video compilation features a snapshot of the Moon’s far side, with distinct images spotlighting the Fabry crater, as well as the Giordano Bruno and Harkhebi J craters. Remarkably, one of these crater images offers a distant glimpse of Earth as a poignant backdrop, reinforcing the profound perspective that space exploration provides. Another intriguing inclusion in the montage is a hazy luminous source set against the velvety expanse of space, identified as the propulsion module by ISRO.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
View from the Lander Imager (LI) Camera-1
on August 17, 2023
just after the separation of the Lander Module from the Propulsion Module #Chandrayaan_3 #Ch3 pic.twitter.com/abPIyEn1Ad— ISRO (@isro) August 18, 2023
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, inaugurated on July 14, reached a crucial milestone on August 16 with the successful execution of its fifth and final lunar-bound orbit maneuver. Subsequently, on August 17, the separation of the lander module from the propulsion module marked another pivotal achievement.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
The Lander Module (LM) health is normal.LM successfully underwent a deboosting operation that reduced its orbit to 113 km x 157 km.
The second deboosting operation is scheduled for August 20, 2023, around 0200 Hrs. IST #Chandrayaan_3#Ch3 pic.twitter.com/0PVxV8Gw5z
— ISRO (@isro) August 18, 2023
Looking ahead, ISRO is now poised to initiate a “deboost” procedure. This intricate maneuver is designed to position the lander module into an orbit that maintains a proximity of 30 kilometers from the lunar surface at its closest point and 100 kilometers at its farthest. The climax of the mission is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, as ISRO endeavors to execute a gentle landing on the Moon’s surface from this orchestrated orbit.
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