What is 15 Minutes of Terror in Chandrayaan-03 Mission?

What is the 15 Minutes of Terror?

The critical technical manoeuvre that the Chandrayaan-3 lander will have to perform on August 23 when it enters the final 15 minutes of its attempt to make a soft landing on the Moon will be to transfer its high-speed horizontal position to a vertical one in order to facilitate a gentle descent on to the surface. The 15 Minutes of Terror will be the most critical phase of the mission, but ISRO is confident that the Vikram lander will be able to complete these manoeuvres and land safely on the Moon’s south pole.

The initial preparation phase

The initial preparation phase comprises the final 1,139 seconds of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, and it is during this stage that the most critical operations will be performed.

The velocity reduction phase

The next phase, which is velocity reduction, will last 690 seconds, and thrusters will be fired to reduce Vikram’s velocity to one-fourth of its initial speed.

The fine braking phase

The final critical manoeuvre is the fine braking phase. During this phase, the lander will be aligned vertically and will hover at a height of 800 to 1,300 meters above the landing site. The lander will then use its thrusters to make small adjustments to its position in order to land safely.

The landing

Once the Vikram lander successfully lands on the lunar south pole, the sensors will signal the computer onboard the spacecraft. After this, the lander will be powered up completely, and Vikram will unfurl the rover ramp so that the Pragyan rover can embark on its lunar journey.

More Sci-Tech News Here

Sumit Arora

As a team lead and current affairs writer at Adda247, I am responsible for researching and producing engaging, informative content designed to assist candidates in preparing for national and state-level competitive government exams. I specialize in crafting insightful articles that keep aspirants updated on the latest trends and developments in current affairs. With a strong emphasis on educational excellence, my goal is to equip readers with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in their exams. Through well-researched and thoughtfully written content, I strive to guide and support candidates on their journey to success.

Recent Posts

Duleep Trophy Winners: Complete List from 1961 to 2026

One of the major domestic first-class cricket competitions in India is the Duleep Trophy. This…

2 hours ago

Delhi-Bihar Bullet Train: Route, Speed, Stations and Travel Time

India is set to expand apart from the Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor and developing plans for…

3 hours ago

National Film Awards 2026 to Be Held in Gujarat

The ceremony of 72nd National Film Awards will take place in Ekta Nagar in Narmada…

3 hours ago

UN Equal Earth Map: 5 Continents That Look Bigger Than You Think

The appearance of the continents depicted on the map might not correspond to their real…

4 hours ago

What Is the BRICS Cross-Border Payment System? Features, Benefits and Impact on Global Trade

The BRICS Cross-border Payment System is an initiative launched by the BRICS nations to improve…

4 hours ago

Amit Shah Presents President’s Colour to Goa Police

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah conferred the President’s Colour on Goa…

5 hours ago