Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully injected into lunar orbit on 5 August 2023. A retro-burning at the Perilune was commanded from the Mission Operations Complex (MOX), ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.
- Next operation – reduction of orbit – scheduled for 6th August around 11 PM Indian Standard Time.
- After lunar orbit injection, Chandrayaan-3 will orbit the Moon multiple times and gradually approach the Moon.
- Once it reaches a 100 km orbit above the lunar surface, the lander and rover will be detached for a soft landing on the Moon.
- The spacecraft is expected to complete a 40-day journey to make a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole around August 23rd.
- India will be the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to do so near the lunar south pole.
- Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14 by the GSLV Mark III launcher.
Question: When is the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft expected to make a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole?
A) July 14
B) August 23
C) September 11
D) October 5
Answer: B) August 23
