India’s Historic Moon Landing Powered by Artificial Intelligence with Chandrayaan-3

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a swiftly advancing domain that influences nearly every industry. It enhances efficiency and boosts productivity through automation in sectors such as education, healthcare, banking, manufacturing, and entertainment. The impact of AI is also evident in the space race, as leading space organizations worldwide integrate it into their missions. India’s Chandrayaan-3, scheduled to achieve a momentous landing on the lunar South Pole today, is also employing this technology at different stages of its third Moon expedition.

Chandrayaan-3: Involvement of Artificial Intelligence

During the final phase of its descent, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft will pass through a window of “17 minutes of terror” where it will perform a series of maneuvers crucial to landing. These include height adjustments, launching the thrusters and scanning the surface for possible obstacles – all done with the help of artificial intelligence. During this time, the Chandrayaan-3 team can monitor its progress only from ISRO’s Telemetry, Tracking and Command (ISTRAC) network in Bengaluru, while AI is at the helm of the Vikram lander. ISRO has already confirmed that the lander will be autonomously guided by artificial intelligence using machine learning that will use its guidance, navigation, control and other systems.

Using artificial intelligence algorithms, the Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC) scans the topography of the landing area for obstacles or obstructions that could cause problems during a soft landing. The AI uses a wide range of sensors combined with cameras using algorithms to ensure a safe landing.

The lunar rover, named Pragyan, will also be under the control of AI and will operate throughout the day, conducting various experiments and collecting samples. The rover is equipped with navigation cameras and Rx/Tx antennas, which are used by artificial intelligence to guide it during operation. To perform the experiments, the Rover is equipped with the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS). Using artificial intelligence, the rover will perform an elemental analysis of the landing site and study the chemical and mineralogical composition of the lunar soil and nearby rocks.

The Vikram lander will land on the Moon’s surface today, August 23, at 6:04 PM IST. Be sure to check out the live coverage of India’s historic touch on the other side of the Moon.