''Chandrayaan-3 Landing Date Might Go For A Change If...": ISRO Scientist

The expected touchdown of the Chandrayaan-3 mission's lander module on the surface of the Moon might be delayed if any factor appears to be not favourable, Nilesh M Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre-ISRO, Ahmedabad said on Monday.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "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."

As per the ISRO's earlier statement, the lander module with the rover in its belly is expected to touch down on the Lunar surface around 6.04 pm on Wednesday.

The MOX (Mission Operations Complex) is located at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) here. ISRO also said, in an update, that the live telecast of the landing event will begin at 5.20 pm on August 23.

Post its launch on July 14, Chandrayaan-3 entered into the lunar orbit on August 5, following which orbit reduction manoeuvres were carried out on the satellite on August 6, 9, 14 and 16, ahead of the separation of both its modules today, in the runup to the landing on August 23, according to a PTI report.

Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. The lander and the rover have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the lunar surface.

Meanwhile, the ISRO said a two-way communication between the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and Chandrayaan-3's Lunar Module has been established.

"'Welcome, buddy!' Ch-2 orbiter formally welcomed Ch-3 LM. Two-way communication between the two is established. MOX has now more routes to reach the LM," the ISRO said.