Chandrayaan-3 lands successfully on moon; know how it was guided by AI

Chandrayaan-3’s touch down, at 6:04 pm (IST), on the lunar surface sparked nationwide celebrations in India on August 23, 2023. The historic achievement establishes the nation as the pioneer in reaching the moon’s South Pole and garners global interest in its water ice prospects. Unveiling a lesser-known aspect, the triumphant mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was notably aided by the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

As industries across the spectrum embrace the rapid integration of AI, the realm of space exploration stands as no exception. The multifaceted capabilities of AI encompasses swift data analysis, predictive insights, autonomous navigation, mission optimisation, anomaly detection, and more. This trend is vividly evident in India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, mirroring its predecessors in harnessing the power of AI.

AI emerges through its influence on sensor technology, a core element in ensuring the mission’s successful lunar landing. AI-driven sensors stand as a critical factor in orchestrating a secure touchdown. By enabling the lander to anticipate lunar topography, identify potential hazards, and execute a precise descent, AI mitigates risks and elevates safety protocols.

S Somnath, Chairman of ISRO, unveiled a technological breakthrough in this endeavour, spotlighting an intricate array of sensors encompassing velocimeters and altimeters. This sensor ensemble relays essential speed and altitude data, while an assemblage of cameras, including a hazard avoidance camera and inertia-based cameras, captures pivotal visual information. These diverse data streams harmoniously converge through sophisticated computer algorithms, culminating in a comprehensive image that impeccably pinpoints the lander’s exact coordinates.

During the lunar rover’s exploration phase, the integration of AI will prove instrumental. AI algorithms will offer crucial guidance in the process of identifying and mapping intriguing lunar characteristics, along with charting the most efficient course for the rover’s exploration endeavours. As the spacecraft amasses invaluable data, AI will assume a central role in the subsequent analysis phase, unearthing insights that might otherwise remain concealed using conventional methodologies.

With the successful touchdown of Chandrayaan-3, India proudly claims its position as the fourth nation to achieve this milestone, following the footsteps of the US (5), Russia (2), and China (3). Outlined by ISRO, the mission rests upon three key objectives: The demonstration of a secure and delicate lunar landing, the display of Rover mobility across the Moon’s varied terrain, and the execution of in-situ scientific experiments.

This mission marks ISRO’s highly anticipated third lunar exploration venture, following the trailblazing Chandrayaan-2 project that garnered worldwide acclaim for its exceptional contributions to the field of space exploration.