# Vikram

> lunar lander of Chandrayaan-3

**Wikidata**: [Q121655583](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121655583)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vikram-q121655583

## Summary  
Vikram is the lunar lander component of India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, designed to soft-land on the Moon. It successfully landed near the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, making India the fourth country to achieve a controlled lunar landing. The lander is named after Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of India's space program.

## Key Facts  
- **Mission**: Part of Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar exploration mission.  
- **Operator**: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  
- **Launch Date**: July 14, 2023, aboard Launch Vehicle Mark III (LVM3-M4).  
- **Landing Date**: August 23, 2023, at Statio Shiv Shakti near the Moon's south pole.  
- **Mass**: 1,726 kg.  
- **Dimensions**: 2 meters (length) × 2 meters (width) × 1.17 meters (height).  
- **Named After**: Vikram Sarabhai, pioneer of India's space program.  
- **Landing Coordinates**: Latitude -69.367621, Longitude 32.348126.  
- **Achievement**: First spacecraft to land near the lunar south pole.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Vikram's role in Chandrayaan-3?  
A: Vikram is the lunar lander responsible for delivering scientific instruments to the Moon's surface as part of Chandrayaan-3's mission to study lunar geology and environment.  

### Q: Where did Vikram land on the Moon?  
A: It landed at Statio Shiv Shakti, near the Moon's south pole, on August 23, 2023.  

### Q: Who built Vikram?  
A: Vikram was developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  

## Why It Matters  
Vikram's successful landing marked a historic milestone for India, making it the fourth country to achieve a controlled lunar landing and the first to reach the Moon's south pole region. This mission advances global understanding of lunar geology, particularly the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters. Vikram's achievements demonstrate India's growing capabilities in space exploration and inspire future missions, including potential crewed lunar landings. The mission also highlights ISRO's cost-effective engineering, setting a precedent for sustainable space exploration.  

## Notable For  
- **First South Pole Landing**: The only spacecraft to land near the Moon's south pole.  
- **Cost-Effective Mission**: Demonstrated advanced lunar landing technology at a fraction of the cost of similar missions.  
- **Scientific Contributions**: Provided data on lunar soil composition and potential water ice deposits.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Vikram was launched as part of Chandrayaan-3 on July 14, 2023, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.  
- It separated from the propulsion module and executed a controlled descent to the lunar surface.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 1,726 kg.  
- **Dimensions**: 2 m (length) × 2 m (width) × 1.17 m (height).  
- **Launch Vehicle**: LVM3-M4, a variant of ISRO's Launch Vehicle Mark III.  

### Landing Details  
- Landed on August 23, 2023, at 12:32 UTC.  
- Landing site named Statio Shiv Shakti by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).  
- Coordinates: Latitude -69.367621, Longitude 32.348126.  

### Scientific Payload  
- Equipped with instruments to analyze lunar soil and seismic activity.  
- Contributed to studies of water ice deposits in polar regions.  

### Legacy  
- Strengthened India's position in global space exploration.  
- Paved the way for future ISRO missions, including potential lunar sample returns.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=57320)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://spacenews.com/chandrayaan-3-india-becomes-fourth-country-to-land-on-the-moon/)
4. [Source](https://www.isro.gov.in/Chandrayaan3_New.html)
5. [Source](https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/bengaluru-live-news-updates-traffic-weather-isro-chandrayaan-8908491/)
6. [Source](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/statio-shiv-shakti-iau-approves-chandrayaan-3-vikrams-landing-site-name/articleshow/108747652.cms)
7. [Source](https://tass.ru/info/18569551)