Lunar Race: Russia to Launch Lunar Landing Craft Amidst Chandrayaan-3 Countdown
Russia is on the brink of launching its first lunar landing spacecraft in nearly five decades on August 11, coinciding with India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission. As both countries gear up for moon landings, the timelines of their lunar arrivals are closely aligned, potentially even overlapping. Russia’s lunar venture, the Luna-25 spacecraft, aims to land on the moon’s surface, particularly at its south pole, an area of immense scientific interest due to its potential ice reserves that could be harnessed for various purposes.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, on the other hand, has been progressing toward its scheduled landing on August 23. Recent updates from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reveal that Chandrayaan-3 underwent an orbit reduction manoeuvre on August 9, bringing it closer to the moon’s surface. Despite potential challenges, ISRO chairman S Somanath expressed confidence in Chandrayaan-3’s landing capabilities, affirming that its design accounts for contingencies and failures, enabling a soft landing even if sensors and engines malfunction.
Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, anticipates a five-day journey for Luna-25 to reach the moon, followed by five to seven days in lunar orbit before descending onto one of three potential landing sites near the moon’s south pole. This mission aims to gather valuable data and rock samples from depths of up to 15 cm to investigate the presence of frozen water that could sustain future human endeavours.
The Russian launch comes after a delay of nearly two years from its original planned date, attributed to various factors including technical challenges and external circumstances. The European Space Agency’s involvement in testing its Pilot-D navigation camera on Luna-25 was put on hold after geopolitical developments concerning Russia’s involvement in Ukraine.
As the countdown to these lunar missions accelerates, the spotlight turns to a village in the far-eastern region of Khabarovsk, where precautionary measures are being taken to ensure safety. In anticipation of the rocket stage’s launch, residents of Shakhtinsky will be evacuated from their homes temporarily due to a minimal but existing risk of potential rocket debris falling in the vicinity.
Both the Russian and Indian lunar missions symbolize a remarkable advancement in space exploration and research, as well as potential opportunities for future scientific discoveries and technological advancements. As these missions unfold, the global community watches in anticipation, witnessing history in the making as humanity continues its journey into the cosmos.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 10th August 2023
