• Source:PTI
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Chandrayaan-3 mission's lander module is set to touch down on the moon on August 23 at 18:04 hours, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Sunday. While the scientists at ISRO have expressed confidence that the Chandrayaan-3 will succeed in its mission, they are prepared for any adverse situation that may arise ahead of the landing. A senior official at ISRO on Monday said the landing of Chandrayaan-3's lander module may be postponed to August 27 in case of any unfavourable factor.

"On August 23, two hours before Chandrayaan-3 lands on the Moon, we will take a decision on whether or not it will be appropriate to land it at that time based on the health of the lander module and the conditions on the Moon. In case, if any factor appears to be not favourable, then we will land the module on the Moon on August 27. No problem should occur and we will be able to land the module on August 23," news agency quoted Nilesh M Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre-ISRO, Ahmedabad.

Earlier on Sunday, August 20, India's lunar mission successfully reduced the orbit of its Lander Module (LM), further moving closer to the moon. The Lander Module, which comprises the lander ‘Vikram' and rover ‘Pragyan', is scheduled to make a soft-landing on moon's south pole on Wednesday.

"Chandrayaan-3 is set to land on the moon on August 23, 2023, around 18:04 Hrs. IST. Thanks for the wishes and positivity!" said ISRO in a post on X, previously known as Twitter.

Where To Watch Touchdown Of Chandrayaan-3 Lander Module

The space agency also shared the links for LIVE viewing of the landing of Chandrayaan-3 mission's lander module on moon. Here are the links to watch Chandrayaan-3 landing LIVE:

ISRO Website: https://t.co/osrHMk7MZL
YouTube: pic.twitter.com/zyu1sdVpoE

Chandrayaan-3 Successfully Completes Final Orbital Move

Chandrayaan-3 successfully completed its final 'deboosting' (the process of slowing down) operations on Sunday morning. The Lander Module would now undergo internal checks, the space agency said. 

“The second and final deboosting (slowing down) operation has successfully reduced the LM orbit to 25 km x 134 km. The module would undergo internal checks and await the sun-rise at the designated landing site. The powered descent is expected to commence on August 23, 2023, around 1745 Hrs IST,” ISRO said in a post on 'X' (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

The LM of Chandrayaan-3 successfully separated from the Propulsion Module on Thursday, 35 days after the mission was launched on July 14.

Chandrayaan-3, which was launched on July 14, entered into the lunar orbit on August 5. After its entry, orbit reduction manoeuvres were carried out on the satellite on August 6, 9, 14 and 16, ahead of the separation of both its modules on August 17.