NI Bureau
India’s lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, made significant progress on Wednesday as the Vikram Lander successfully detached from the Propulsion Module. Having completed its fourth and final orbit-reducing maneuver, the spacecraft used both the Propulsion Module and the lander component (including the rover) to do so. After this separation, the Lander will proceed autonomously to complete its journey to the lunar surface. The mission’s goal is a delicate soft landing scheduled for August 23. Meanwhile, Russia’s lunar probe, Luna-25, has also reached lunar orbit and aims to attempt a landing between August 21 and 23. Both nations are targeting a soft landing near the moon’s southern pole.
Is There a Competition or Race Between India and Russia for the Moon?
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), there isn’t a competitive race. Both countries will share a common presence on the moon. Russia’s Luna-25 successfully entered a circular polar orbit around the Moon, becoming its satellite. This mission, Luna-25, marks Russia’s first lunar endeavor since Luna-24 in 1976 and was launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Region on August 11.
Key Details about the Chandrayaan-3 Mission
Launched on July 14 from Sriharikota using a powerful rocket, Chandrayaan-3 entered the moon’s orbit on August 5, where it has been orbiting since. The spacecraft was placed in an orbit measuring 153 km by 163 km today. All required maneuvers toward the moon have been completed. On August 17, the separation between the propulsion module and the lander, Vikram, will occur. The propulsion module will continue on its trajectory. On August 23, once preset commands are activated, the Vikram lander will attempt a soft landing on the moon’s surface. Extensive testing has been conducted by ISRO to ensure a safe landing. Additionally, the Vikram lander features a ‘salvage mode’ for added safety during landing. Following the landing and settling of lunar dust, the Pragyaan rover will be deployed. The lander Vikram will capture images of the Pragyaan rover, and reciprocally, the rover will take pictures of the lander, marking the first Indian lunar selfies. A planned 14-day scientific exploration of the moon will commence from this point.
Key Details about Russia’s Luna 25 Mission
Russia surprised the world with the launch of its lunar satellite, named ‘Luna 25’, on August 11, marking the nation’s return to lunar exploration after 47 years since the last USSR lunar mission. Unlike India’s trajectory, which took a longer path, Russia directly launched Luna 25 using a powerful rocket. The probe is projected to reach lunar orbit by August 16, and Russia aims for a soft landing attempt between August 21 and 23. Weighing 1,750 kg at launch, Luna 25 carries 30 kg of scientific experiments and functions as a robotic lander without a rover. Powered by a radioactive generator, it’s expected to operate for about a year. The journey from Earth to the moon will span around 10 days, during which Luna 25 will analyze the moon’s soil, searching for water and ice.
Comparison Between Chandrayaan-3 and Luna 25
Chandrayaan-3 will take approximately 40 days to reach the lunar surface, while Luna 25 will complete the journey in just 10 days. India employed a medium-lift rocket and a circuitous route, whereas Russia used a heavier rocket to send Luna 25 directly to the moon. Chandrayaan-3 weighs 3,921 kg, whereas Luna 25 weighs 1,750 kg. Chandrayaan-3 includes both the Vikram lander and the Pragyaan rover, whereas Luna 25 is solely a lander mission without a rover. Vikram lander weighs 1,745 kg, and its mission duration is expected to be 14 Earth days, compared to Luna 25’s projected year-long mission. Both Indian and Russian lunar missions aim for a successful soft landing near the moon’s southern pole. India previously crash-landed its moon impact probe as part of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, while Russia’s last lunar mission occurred in 1976.
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