The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Monday that it has established two-way communication between the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and the Chandrayaan-3 lunar module. This means that the two spacecraft can now send and receive data from each other.
The Chandrayaan-3 lunar module is expected to touch down on the surface of the Moon on August 23 at around 6:04 PM IST. The live telecast of the landing event will begin at 5:20 PM IST.
The MOX (Mission Operations Complex) is located at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru. It is responsible for the command and control of all of ISRO’s space missions.
The Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, which was launched in 2019, comprises an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. The lander with the rover crashed into the Moon’s surface in 2019, but the orbiter is still in orbit around the Moon.
ISRO said in 2019 that the mission life of the orbiter has been increased to seven years due to the precise launch and orbital maneuvers. This means that the orbiter will continue to orbit the Moon until at least 2026.
The successful establishment of two-way communication between the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and the Chandrayaan-3 lunar module is a major milestone for the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It paves the way for the successful landing of the lunar module on the Moon on August 23.
ISRO is hopeful that the Chandrayaan-3 mission will be a success and that it will help to further our understanding of the Moon.
