What to expect in the final moments of the Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing

India is a bundle of nerves today as ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission attempts to soft land on the Moon's south pole. If successful, India would make history as the first country ever to soft land on the moon's far side. Chandrayaan-3 will begin the soft landing process at 5.45 pm and the touchdown is expected at 6.04 pm. 

The landing will be broadcast live across the country and on various social media platforms. 

Countdown

The countdown for Chandrayaan-3's landing has begun. Across the country, people are carrying out rituals praying for the successful landing of the lander and the rover. 

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | People offer namaz at the Islamic Center of India in Lucknow for the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, on August 23. pic.twitter.com/xpm98iQM9O

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2023

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Special 'Bhasma Aarti' performed at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, for the successful landing of #Chandrayaan3

According to ISRO, Chandrayaan-3 is all set to land on the Moon on August 23 at around 18:04 hrs IST. pic.twitter.com/TSTq7yoYQe

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 23, 2023

Here's what to expect when the process begins:

• According to experts, the final 15 to 20 minutes will be crucial as it would determine the success of the mission. 
• 5.45 pm: The landing process will begin when the sun rises on the moon and following internal checks. So far, ISRO says no glitches have been encountered in any systems. 
• The lander, Vikram, will fire its engines and separate from the propulsion module near the lunar surface. Vikram will be ultimately responsible for a successful safe landing. 

.... and
The moon as captured by the
Lander Imager Camera 4
on August 20, 2023.#Chandrayaan_3 #Ch3 pic.twitter.com/yPejjLdOSS

— ISRO (@isro) August 22, 2023

• The lander will have to become vertical for landing. The lander stands about 2 meters tall, weighing over 1,700 kg, the size of an SUV. 
• In its belly will be the rover, Pragyan, weighing 26 kg. The six-wheeled rover will be deployed after the landing to traverse the surface of the moon's south pole. 
• Once successfully landed, the lander and the rover will be functional for 14 Earth days or just one moon day when sunlight will be available. 
• On the other hand, the Chandrayaan-3 mothership will continue to orbit the moon and study Earth from the lunar orbit. 

What if…?

• ISRO chairman S Somnath was quoted in various media reports saying that even if the engines and the sensors fail, the Vikram lander is designed to be able to land. 

• ISRO also told media persons earlier that they may postpone the landing for August 27 if any glitches develop in the final few minutes leading up to the landing process.
• The window for more landing attempts will be open for 14 days which is one lunar day. After this period, the next window will only open when the sun rises on the moon again after 14 days. 

How different is #Chandrayaan2 from #Chandrayaan3? @isro chairman S Somnath responds, says the Indian space agency has learned valuable lessons from Chandrayaan-2. #ReporterDiary | (@sagayrajp) pic.twitter.com/WRgP2mBlzc

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 17, 2023

• S Somnath had earlier told India Today that access to sunlight is important to the lander and the rover to generate power. Much of the moon's south pole is plunged in perpetual darkness, but some elevated parts or those on the horizon receive some sunlight.