INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
LVM3.The space agency is looking at a mid-July launch (between July 12 and 19) window for India's third lunar mission, and a second attempt
at soft-landing equipment on Moon.While the mission will carry a lander (Vikram) and rover (Pragna), it won't carry an orbiter, which has
been replaced by a propulsion module.After its failed landing attempt in September 2019, Isro has carried out several changes on the
lander.This time around, Vikram will have stronger legs than in its previous avatar to enable withstanding landing at greater velocities
than earlier, while Isro has also made several other changes learning from the failures of Chandrayaan-2.TOI had reported about changes
improvements on the lander
Basically, what were the deficiencies we were trying to overcome? One is the lander legs, which we expected could have withstood a higher
velocity [during Chandrayaan-2]
So how much can we increase the velocity tolerance in the available structure? We have enhanced the landing velocity to 3m/second from
landing/touchdown velocity of about 2m/second is ideal and safe
And it is good that the tolerance will be for 3m/second, which means in case the best situation is not there, the lander will still do its
look at the lunar terrain
And through laser source sounding, we will be able to get components of three velocity vectors
improved the software to have more tolerance to failures like engine disruptions, thrust disruptions, sensor failures, etc, while also
Also, given its weight now, we have to necessarily fire a minimum of two engines to do the landing, and cannot land with a single engine
Vikram will be able to generate power even if it lands in a different orientation and is not facing the Sun.Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled for
launch between July 12 and 19
It cannot be shortened because it depends on the commencement day of the landing
We want the lander to land at the location the day of the Moon starts so we get the full 15 days to work
This is in terms of autonomous flights, helicopter flights, crane-mode landing simulation tests, drop tests, software simulation testbeds
