JNS: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently disclosed a significant breakthrough: the Vikram lander, a pivotal component of the forthcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, is engineered to achieve a soft lunar landing even if its engines encounter failure during the descent.
This announcement assumes greater importance following the unsuccessful landing attempt of Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram lander, an incident attributed to propulsion issues. In response, ISRO has undertaken comprehensive refinements to enhance the robustness of the lunar lander’s systems.
Speaking at a talk hosted by the NGO Disha Bharat, ISRO Chief S. Somanath underscored that Vikram’s safe landing on the Moon’s surface is assured, even if all sensors and both engines fail. He noted that the challenging task at hand revolves around transitioning Vikram from a horizontal to a vertical orientation for landing—a difficulty encountered during Chandrayaan-2.
Somanath elaborated on the complex manoeuvring required as Vikram detaches from the orbiter. After separation, Vikram’s horizontal movement is planned to be transformed into a vertical position through a sequence of precisely executed manoeuvres. This shift, from horizontal to vertical orientation, holds the key to a successful landing.
“Only here had problems last time,” Somanath highlighted, referring to the challenges faced during the Chandrayaan-2 mission. He emphasized that the Vikram lander has been designed to navigate contingencies, with a focus on ensuring safety even in dire scenarios.
The ISRO Chief expressed confidence, stating, “If everything fails, all sensors stop working, and nothing works, still Vikram, the lander, will make a soft landing provided that the propulsion system works well.”
As anticipation builds within the global space community, Chandrayaan-3’s impending lunar landing holds immense promise for groundbreaking discoveries and propelling India’s space ambitions to greater heights. The mission’s success could mark a turning point in the nation’s space exploration journey, paving the way for unprecedented achievements.
