ISRO Successfully Executes AI-Powered Landing of Chandrayaan 3’s Vikram Lander on the Moon
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has achieved a major milestone in space exploration by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to successfully land the Chandrayaan 3’s Vikram Lander on the Moon’s surface. The ISRO confirmed that the landing sequence was initiated today at 5:44 PM IST, with the Vikram Lander module precisely positioned at its designated spot.
In a groundbreaking move, ISRO handed over control of the landing process to computers and AI algorithms once the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS) began. These preset algorithms were designed to make real-time adjustments based on data received from the module’s sensors and cameras, allowing the AI system to guide, control, and navigate the entire 15-minute landing process.
One remarkable aspect of this mission is that once the descent begins at 5:47 PM, ISRO’s mission control center will no longer have the ability to directly control the lander. Instead, the success or failure of the mission will depend on the capabilities of a pre-programmed AI algorithm.
The key to the AI-powered system’s effectiveness lies in a multitude of sensors integrated into the lander. These sensors play a crucial role in determining the craft’s location, speed, and orientation, providing essential data for its successful operation. Various types of sensors, including velocimeters and altimeters, continuously feed information to the AI system, enabling it to make accurate calculations and precisely position the lander.
The Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft is equipped with cameras, including a hazard avoidance camera and inertia-based cameras, which further enhance the AI system’s ability to navigate and guide the lander. By integrating data from these diverse sensors, the AI algorithm obtains a comprehensive understanding of the lander’s precise position, ensuring a safe and gentle landing.
ISRO Chairman S Somnath emphasized the robustness of the design, stating that even if all the sensors were to malfunction, the lander would still be able to land securely as long as the propulsion system continues to function properly. The Chandrayaan 3 lander is engineered to handle different scenarios and can safely make contact with the lunar surface at speeds of up to 10.8 km per hour without compromising the integrity of its internal components. However, the ideal landing speed is around 7.2 km per hour, and the lander can even tilt up to 12 degrees and still achieve a successful landing.
Today’s successful AI-powered landing marks a significant advancement in space exploration and highlights the ever-growing role of artificial intelligence in pushing the boundaries of scientific achievements. The data collected by the lander will be transmitted to various centers, including the ISTRAC center in Bengaluru, the Deep Space Network in Bengaluru, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the United States, and a station belonging to the European Space Agency in Spain. This collaborative effort and the utilization of AI pave the way for future space missions to be accomplished with greater precision and reliability.
