How Nasa, European space agency and a small Karnataka village will play key role in Chandrayaan's success

In a highly anticipated event, the Chandrayaan-3 lander is poised for a gentle touchdown on the Moon at precisely 6:04 pm today. As the mission reaches its crucial climax, international space agencies Nasa and the European Space Agency (ESA) will assume pivotal roles in communicating with the lander module during its final descent phase.

With a global perspective, Nasa's Deep Space Network boasts a collection of immense radio antennas strategically positioned across the globe. Meanwhile, ESA operates its own comprehensive satellite tracking network named Estrack, which connects satellites in orbit with the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) situated in Darmstadt, Germany. At the core of Estrack are seven stations stationed in different countries, serving as vital links. Regarding the impending Chandrayaan-3 descent and rover operations, ESA has affirmed, "It will support the lander during the entire phase of lunar surface operations, helping to ensure that science data acquired by the rover arrives safely with Isro in India."

In the heart of Karnataka lies Byalalu, an unassuming village, housing Isro's 32-meter deep space tracking station. This station empowers Isro to locate, track, command, and receive vital telemetry and scientific information from its distant spacecraft. However, when these spacecraft venture beyond the station's line of sight, the assistance of fellow space agencies becomes invaluable. The cost of establishing new colossal antennas and control centers worldwide is exorbitant. To bridge this gap, Isro, like numerous international counterparts, is partnering with Nasa and ESA to maintain an uninterrupted connection with Chandrayaan-3.


The European Space Agency's 15-metre antenna in Kourou, French Guiana, was used to track Chandrayaan-3 in the days following its July 14 launch from Sriharikota to help ensure that the spacecraft survived the rigors of the lift-off and was in excellent health as it began its voyage to the Moon. ESA arranged tracking support from the 32-metre antenna operated by Goonhilly Earth Station in the UK as the spacecraft retreated from the Earth. Goonhilly assisted with the propulsion and lander modules of Chandrayaan-3.

Aside from top foreign space agencies, some well-known space entrepreneurs have been following the Chandrayaan-3 mission since its inception.

Amateur astronomer Scott Tilley has been keeping a mission data archive of the accumulated TLE (Two-Line Element) data from Chandrayaan-3 on his GitHub in order to independently examine the spacecraft's fluctuating orbitary positions. The entire globe is crossing its fingers for a touchdown on Wednesday.