Story Content

Amid anticipation and anxiety, India's Chandrayaan-3 mission is poised for an audacious feat – a soft landing on the Moon's uncharted southern region. The nation holds its breath as the Vikram lander, carrying the Pragyaan rover, prepares to descend. This climactic phase, often likened to a tense T-20 cricket match, encapsulates twenty nerve-wracking minutes of intricate maneuvers and precision.

Chandrayaan-3's Progression: A Delicate Dance with the Moon

The journey commenced with the majestic launch of Chandrayaan-3 aboard the ISRO's Bahubali rocket, propelling it into Earth's orbit. After traversing elliptical orbits around our planet to gain velocity, the spacecraft embarked on its lunar trajectory on August 1. Skillful orbital adjustments led to Chandrayaan-3's graceful entry into the Moon's orbit on August 5, followed by days of stabilization.

The Critical Descent: Triumphs and Trepidations

A pivotal moment arrived on August 17 when the propulsion module and Vikram lander parted ways, positioning the lander in a 153 km by 25 km elliptical orbit. Drawing inspiration from the successful Chandrayaan-2 mission, the Vikram lander gradually approached the lunar surface in preparation for its powered descent. Here, the 'rough braking phase' ensued, decelerating the lander from a staggering velocity of 6048 km per hour to achieve horizontal alignment.

Touchdown and Triumph: Conquering the Lunar Frontier

Amidst apprehension, the Vikram lander enters the 'fine braking phase,' striving to rectify the mistakes that led to Chandrayaan-2's unexpected tumble. With meticulous control, the lander achieves vertical alignment just 800 meters above the Moon's surface. Suspended in this critical balance, it surveys the terrain before descending further to 150 meters. Here, final hazard detection and landing site assessment occur, culminating in a gentle touchdown with controlled engines.In a triumphant finale, the sensors on the lander's legs confirm contact with the lunar surface, prompting the engines to cease operation. The poignant twenty minutes of terror come to a close as the lander rests on the Moon. This sets the stage for the unfolding of the Pragyaan rover, designed to explore the unexplored lunar expanse. As images and data traverse the vast expanse back to Earth, India stands on the precipice of becoming the fourth nation to achieve a soft lunar landing.