India is ready to script history as ISRO's ambitious third moon mission Chandrayaan-3's Lander Module (LM) is scheduled to make a soft landing on the moon at 6:04 pm on Wednesday. The historic moment will be streamed live on ISRO's official website and its various social media platforms. The live telecast will begin at 5:20 PM on August 23, 2022.
A day ahead of the scheduled landing, ISRO onfirmed that the Chandrayaan-3 mission is on schedule. "Systems are undergoing regular checks. Smooth sailing is continuing," it said. The powered descent to achieve soft-landing on the Moon's surface -- is expected to be initiated at around 5:45 pm on Wednesday.
Where to watch Chandrayaan-3 live landing?
The most-awaited moment of the Chandrayaan-3 landing will be available for viewing on the ISRO's official website and its various social media platforms. The livestream of the event will also be available on ISRO's Youtube channel. Further, the event will be aired on DD National television channel.
The live telecast will begin at 5:20 PM on August 23, 2022.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) had earlier directed higher education institutes to organise live streaming of the Chandrayaan-3 landing in schools. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed government schools to remain open on August 23 between 5:15 pm to 6:15 pm and arrange live telecast of the historic moment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is attending the BRICS summit in South Africa, will join in online.
What will happen after soft-landing on moon?
The critical process of soft-landing has been dubbed by many including ISRO officials as "17 minutes of terror", with the entire process being autonomous when the lander has to fire its engines at the right times and altitudes, use the right amount of fuel, and scan of the lunar surface for any obstacles or hills or craters before finally touching down.
The lander and rover will have a mission life of one lunar day (about 14 earth days) to study the surroundings there. However, ISRO officials do not rule out the possibility of them coming to life for another lunar day.
The lander will have the capability to soft-land at a specified lunar site and deploy the rover which will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during the course of its mobility. They both have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the lunar surface.
Noting that as long as the sun shines all the systems will have its power, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said, "The moment the sun sets, everything will be in pitch darkness, temperature will go as down as low as minus 180 degree celsius; so it is not possible for the systems to survive." However, if it does survive, then it will be another important feat achieved by ISRO.
