Chandrayaan-3 moon landing: How artificial intelligence played a key role

Image credit: Getty Images

Chandrayaan-3 has successfully touched down on the lunar South Pole on August 23, sparking nationwide celebrations in India.

Interestingly, artificial intelligence (AI) has played a crucial role in facilitating the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s moon landing mission.

AI’s role in Chandrayaan-3

AI is rapidly solidifying its position as an invaluable tool across various sectors, including space exploration. Its applications range from swift data analysis, predictive insights and autonomous navigation to optimising mission operations and more.

The integration of AI-driven sensors in Chandrayaan-3 was instrumental in ensuring a safe lunar touchdown. These sensors helped the lander in predicting lunar topography, identifying potential hazards, and skillfully navigating its descent, thereby minimising risks.

ISRO chairman S Somnath unveiled a significant technological breakthrough, featuring a sensor array comprising velocimetres and altimetres. These instruments provided crucial data about the lander’s speed and altitude.

Meanwhile, an array of cameras, including those for hazard avoidance and inertia-based visuals, captured essential images. Advanced computer algorithms combined these data streams to generate a comprehensive image that pinpointed the precise location of the lander.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
Updates:

The communication link is established between the Ch-3 Lander and MOX-ISTRAC, Bengaluru.

Here are the images from the Lander Horizontal Velocity Camera taken during the descent. #Chandrayaan_3#Ch3 pic.twitter.com/ctjpxZmbom

— ISRO (@isro) August 23, 2023

AI’s role will also extend to the rover’s lunar exploration phase. The rover will carry out experiments, collect samples, guided by AI using navigation cameras, as well as charting the most efficient route for exploration.

As India’s Chandrayaan-3 makes history with its landing on the lunar South Pole, the role of AI showcases how this technology is revolutionizing space exploration and pushing boundaries.

With the successful Chandrayaan-3 landing, India joins the ranks of the US, Russia and China as the fourth country to achieve this feat.