Image of the far side of the moon taken by India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on August 19. Photo by Indian Space Research Organization
Aug. 21 (UPI) — After Russia’s failed attempt to put a lander on the moon, the Indian Space Research Organization is set to make history by becoming the first country to land on the moon’s south pole on Wednesday.
On Monday, the space agency announced that its Chandrayaan-3 lander, named Vikram, had conducted mapping activities to identify potential landing sites while orbiting the moon. Scientists believe that the moon’s south pole may hold hidden reserves of frozen water and other valuable resources.
If successful, India will join the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China as the only countries to have achieved a soft landing on the moon.
India released photos on Monday showcasing the areas where its spacecraft has been considering landing. Officials have confirmed that all systems are go for the landing attempt on Wednesday.
The images released by the Indian space agency provide valuable insights into the moon’s surface, enabling the mission to avoid potential hazards like boulders or the edges of craters. It is worth highlighting that both Japan and Israel, as well as the United Arab Emirates, have previously encountered difficulties in safely landing on the moon. Russia’s recent mishap further underscores the dangers of lunar landings.
Russia acknowledged that their lander crashed into the moon after unexpectedly losing control on Saturday.
India’s plan includes deploying a rover on the moon’s surface to conduct a series of tests over the next two weeks. These tests will help determine the presence of frozen water on the moon, which could potentially serve as a valuable resource for fuel, oxygen, and drinking water needed to sustain human life.
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