Chandrayaan-3, which is scheduled to land on the Moon on August 23, 2023, might experience a delay in landing. Chandrayaan-3’s landing might be delayed by “three to four days” if conditions are unfavourable, a senior scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told ABP Live. If the landing is delayed, the scientist added, Chandrayaan-3 may operate on the Moon for about 10 days, instead of 14 Earth days. This means that if Chandrayaan-3’s landing is delayed, the spacecraft may touch down on the lunar south pole on August 26 or 27.
“Landing on the designated date is not the priority, safe landing is. What happened to Luna 25? That’s the best example. If you have a safe manoeuvre and landing, the world will still be yours,” said K. Siddhartha, Earth Scientist at ISRO and a strategic thinker. He explained that Chandrayaan-3 carries sufficient fuel to allow delays in landing in case conditions are not favourable.
However, he said that a very complex manoeuvre will be involved during the landing of Chandrayaan-3. “The manoeuvring will become very complex with any delay.”
Siddhartha explained that the tilt and the thrust are important. “So, if you apply a force greater than the amount required, Chandrayaan-3 might get toppled. If you apply a small amount of force, there is a danger of Chandrayaan-3 hitting the lunar surface at the wrong place. Chandrayaan-3 will be landing somewhere between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters.”
Explaining if a delay in landing will impact the spacecraft in any way because launch and landing dates are decided based on mathematical calculations, Siddhartha said, “Now, Chandrayaan-3 is out of those mathematical calculations. Hence, there will be no difficulty if the landing is delayed.”