In an epoch-making feat, Chandrayaan-3 is set to gently land on the Moon's surface at approximately 6:04 pm IST, positioning India as the pioneer in soft lunar landings at the south pole. The countdown to this momentous event involves intricate maneuvers during the final 15 minutes, aptly known as the '15 minutes of terror'. Comprising phases like initial preparation, velocity reduction, orientation change, attitude hold, fine braking, final descent, and touchdown, these moments require calculated precision and an indomitable pursuit of lunar exploration. Former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit, who contributed to the Chandrayaan-2 and Mangalyaan projects, emphasized, "The critical juncture before touchdown encapsulates intricate maneuvers, meticulous calculations, and an unwavering dedication to uncover the Moon's enigmas." As the final descent initiates, the Vikram lander will be positioned around 750 kilometers from the landing site, soaring 25 to 30 kilometers above the lunar surface, and racing horizontally at about 1,600 meters per second, shared Purohit. The subsequent phase, velocity reduction, spanning
