9. Chandrayaan-3 is the first lunar mission to place a lander
a. at the lunar south pole
b. 60 km from the lunar south pole
c. 600 km from the lunar south pole
d. 2000 km from the lunar south pole
Chandrayaan-3 successfully placed its Vikram lander near the lunar south pole region on August 23, 2023, making India the first nation to achieve a soft landing there. The landing site, named Statio Shiv Shakti at coordinates 69.37°S, 32.32°E, lies approximately 600 km from the Moon’s exact south pole. The correct answer is c. 600 km from the lunar south pole.
Option Analysis
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a. at the lunar south pole: Incorrect, as no mission has landed precisely at the Moon’s south pole (90°S); Chandrayaan-3 targeted a highland area nearby for scientific viability and sunlight exposure, not the exact pole.
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b. 60 km from the lunar south pole: Incorrect; this underestimates the distance, with confirmed data placing the site much farther in the south polar region between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters.
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c. 600 km from the lunar south pole: Correct; multiple sources, including NASA and ISRO, verify the Vikram lander touched down about 600 km from the pole at 69.37°S latitude.
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d. 2000 km from the lunar south pole: Incorrect; this overstates the distance, as the site is in the south polar highlands, roughly 350-600 km from the pole, not equatorial regions.
Mission Highlights
Chandrayaan-3’s lander and Pragyan rover operated for one lunar day, studying lunar soil and confirming water ice potential in shadowed craters. This feat followed Chandrayaan-2’s partial failure, advancing ISRO’s goals for future sample returns like Chandrayaan-4. The site’s elevation is 532 m, with rugged terrain aiding geological insights.
