Chandrayaan-3 mission to moon on schedule, system check underway

On August 22, ISRO posted on social media platform X: “The mission is on schedule. Systems are undergoing regular checks. Smooth sailing is continuing. The Mission Operations Complex (MOX) is buzzed with energy & excitement!”

A day before the crucial soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Lander Module on the Moon surface, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that the mission is on schedule.

On August 22, ISRO posted on social media platform X: “The mission is on schedule. Systems are undergoing regular checks. Smooth sailing is continuing. The Mission Operations Complex (MOX) is buzzed with energy & excitement!”

Lander, with Rover in its belly, is in 25 km x 134 km orbit. It is set to land on the Moon on August 23 around 6.04 pm IST. Powered descent is expected to commence around 5.45 p.m.

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The MOX at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru will oversee the complex soft landing of the Lander Module.

A live telecast of the landing operation will begin at 5.20 p.m. IST on August 23.

Apart from ISTRAC, the Indian Deep Space Network (IDSN) antenna at Byalalu near Bengaluru, and the ground stations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) will also be supporting ISRO in the complex landing operation.