ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 Mission Receives Collaborative Support from European Space Agency
Date: August 25, 2023
Location: Bengaluru, India
In a remarkable display of international cooperation and dedication, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has joined forces with the European Space Agency (ESA) to track the lander module of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The mission, which is poised to achieve a historic soft landing on the Moon's unexplored southern pole, has garnered support from ESA's ground stations located in various parts of the world.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, ISRO and ESA have managed to forge a strong collaborative effort. Officials at both organizations have worked tirelessly, even operating from home offices across Europe and India. They have successfully navigated logistical hurdles, including transporting essential compatibility testing equipment from ISRO to ESA's European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.
Mr. Ramesh Chellathurai, the European Space Agency Service Manager and Liaison Officer to ISRO, shed light on the joint efforts in a video shared on social media. Hailing from the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, he revealed that ESA has been providing support to Chandrayaan-3 from three ground stations situated in Kourou (French Guiana), Goonhilly (United Kingdom), and New Norcia (Western Australia).
"These stations are tracking the Chandrayaan-3 lander module, and we are green (ready to go) to support the landing which is supposed to happen shortly," Chellathurai announced with enthusiasm.
The collaboration between ISRO and ESA holds great significance, underscoring the human dedication behind every space mission. The two-year-long preparation showcases the incredible efforts put forth by the teams. ESA expressed its support and encouragement for ISRO with a social media post stating, "Behind every spacecraft are incredible teams. Behind every historic moment are years of hard work. All the best ISRO! Go Chandrayaan-3!"
The Chandrayaan-3 Mission, if successful, will establish India as the fourth country to achieve a safe soft landing on the Moon's surface. The mission aims to touch down on the unexplored southern pole of the Moon at 06.04 PM IST today, following in the footsteps of the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China.
As the world eagerly awaits the outcome of this ambitious endeavor, the collaborative efforts of ISRO and ESA stand as a testament to the power of international partnerships in advancing the boundaries of space exploration.
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