Chandrayaan-3 Lander Captures Image of Lunar Far Side in Preparation for Descent

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has initiated the countdown for the touchdown of their spacecraft, Chandryaan-3. As the days dwindle to just three, excitement is mounting. The recent setback of Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft, which had a comparable objective, has shifted the focus entirely onto the Indian spacecraft. In light of the imminent touchdown, ISRO has released fresh images of the Moon’s far side, taken by the camera aboard Chandrayaan-3.

Chandrayaan-3 clicks from the far side of the moon

The images were taken by the spacecraft’s Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC), which helps locate a safe landing area, avoiding deep trenches or huge rocks that could hinder landing. The LHDAC camera has been developed at the ISRO Space Applications Center, a facility where space-based instruments are designed for ISRO missions.

The first of the four images shared by ISRO’s official X account shows the Hayn impact crater in the north-east region of the Moon, which is nearly 87 kilometers wide. Another photo captured Boss Crater, which is also located nearby. It is named after the American astronomer Lewis Boss. The third image is not a crater, but the Mare Humboldtianum, a basaltic plateau on the lunar surface formed by an ancient asteroid impact. The fourth image shows the massive Belkovich impact crater, which is nearly 214 kilometers wide. Since all these formations are located on the far side of the Moon, they are not easily visible from Earth due to the libration effect.

Chandrayaan-3: Touchdown soon

India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission is reaching a critical juncture as the spacecraft prepares for its historic touchdown, expected to take place on August 23 at 6:04 PM IST. Chandrayaan-3 consists of three parts – a lunar lander named Vikram, a rover named Pragyan and a propulsion module. While the propulsion module continues to orbit in space and conduct several tests over months or even years, the Vikram lander and the Pragyan lander will land on the other side of the Moon.

If successful, the soft landing would cement India’s position as the fourth country to successfully achieve a soft landing on the Moon, following in the footsteps of the US, Russia and China.