India could become the fourth country ever to land a spacecraft on the moon

India’s spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 is shown following its July 14 launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh state.

In its relentless pursuit of space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has confirmed the progress of its mission, Chandrayaan-3, colloquially known as “moon vehicle.” The spacecraft is on the verge of beginning its final descent to the moon’s surface, scheduled for Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. IST (8:15 a.m. ET).

With a livestream of the landing attempt, India’s space agency is eagerly seeking to make history, not only for the nation but for the entire global space community. A successful mission would solidify India’s reputation as a space superpower, joining the ranks of the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union.

If successful, the mission could cement India’s status as a global superpower in space. Previously, only the United States, China and the former Soviet Union have completed soft landings on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3’s projected landing site is also closer to the moon’s south pole than any other spacecraft in history has ventured. The south pole region is considered an area of key scientific and strategic interest for spacefaring nations, as scientists believe the region to be home to water ice deposits.

The water, frozen in shadowy craters, could be converted into rocket fuel or even drinking water for future crewed missions.

Chandrayaan-3’s projected landing site at the moon’s south pole is unprecedented and accentuates the nation’s ambition to explore this region rich in scientific and strategic importance. Researchers believe the polar region contains water ice deposits, which could one day yield rocket fuel and even drinking water for human missions.

This monumental attempt comes in the wake of Russia’s failed Luna 25 landing just a few days ago. Amidst renewed hope and anticipation, Chandrayaan-3 endeavors to capture captivating images of the moon’s surface – as demonstrated by the photograph shared by the Indian Space Research Organization, offering a glimpse into the moon’s enigmatic gray terrain.

The Journey of Chandrayaan-3:

Comprising a lander, rover, and propulsion module, Chandrayaan-3 has already completed its arduous journey through the vast expanse spanning 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) between the Earth and the moon. The 1,700-kilogram (3,748-pound) lander, named Vikram, is primed to execute precision maneuvers for a soft touchdown. Once deployed, the six-wheeled rover, Pragyan, will traverse the lunar surface to capture vital scientific data.

Scientists are particularly enthralled by the inclusion of a seismometer within the lander. By detecting quakes within the moon’s interior, researchers aim to gain crucial insights necessary for future lunar missions. Understanding lunar seismic activity is vital in guaranteeing astronaut safety and securing potential structures on the moon’s surface from seismic disturbances.

Expected to operate for approximately two weeks, the lander and rover serve as data collectors, while the propulsion module remains in orbit, facilitating the transmission of critical information back to Earth.

India fulfills its burgeoning role as an emerging space power by collaborating with the United States, France, and other nations in the second wave of space exploration. With its bustling space program, India has captivated national pride and garnered widespread interest. The Sanskrit-named Chandrayaan-3 has enthralled millions who witnessed its launch at Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh state via YouTube.

This mission gains profound significance following Russia’s recent failed attempt. Should Chandrayaan-3 succeed, India will become the second country in the 21st century to achieve a lunar landing, following China. Numerous countries, including Japan, have plans to explore the moon in the coming years. The United States, with its Artemis III mission, aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface as early as 2025.

Landing on the moon remains an immensely complex endeavor, as illustrated by India’s previous failed attempt during the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019. Israel and Japan have also encountered challenges, each experiencing unsuccessful lunar landings. Nevertheless, India’s undeterred spirit fuels further exploration, as NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasizes the scientific rewards awaiting all nations willing to embrace the lunar surface.

As a signatory of the United States’ Artemis Accords, India firmly embraces the proposed rules for lunar exploration. By participating in this endeavor, India showcases its commitment to cooperative efforts in space exploration. Russia and China, however, have not yet signed this accord.

A global moon rush

Working alongside allies such as the United States and France, India is part of a second wave of emerging space powers. The country’s space program has become one of the world’s busiest in its development of exploratory space technology.

Chandrayaan-3 has been a point of national pride and widespread interest across India. Crowds gathered at the launchpad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh state, and more than a million people tuned in on YouTube in July to watch the spacecraft take flight.

India’s mission has taken on even greater significance since Russia’s failed Luna 25 landing attempt. If Chandrayaan-3 is successful, India would also become the second country to land a spacecraft on the moon in the 21st century after China, which has put three landers on the lunar surface since 2013 — including the first to touch down on the moon’s far side. (The last US lunar lander, the crewed Apollo 17 mission, touched down in 1972.)

More than a dozen countries have plans for missions to the moon in the coming years, including a mission launched by Japan’s space agency — the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency — that is expected to lift off later this month. The United States also has plans to send three commercial lunar landers to the moon starting as early as this year, while NASA continues to work toward its Artemis III mission, which could put astronauts back on the moon as soon as 2025.