Skip to main content

India's Voyage to the Moon- Chandrayaan-3

 India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is gearing up for its highly anticipated lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3. This mission aims to build on the achievements of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, and demonstrate India's ability to safely land on the moon's surface and conduct in-situ scientific experiments. With advanced technologies and renewed determination, Chandrayaan-3 is set to propel India further in its quest for lunar exploration.

The powerful Mark 3 heavy-lift launch vehicle, commonly known as the Bahubali rocket, is holding the lunar lander, Vikram, in place. The spaceship will travel from Earth to the moon in about a month, with the projected landing day being August 23. Vikram will function on the lunar surface for one lunar day, which is equal to 14 days on Earth.

India’s third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, is a continuation of Chandrayaan-2, which was launched in July 2019 and has as its goal to place a rover on the lunar South Pole. The Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota has launched the mission on July 14, 2023, using a Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s delay in its production, India is ready to launch Chandrayaan 3 in 2022.

Objective of Chandrayaan-3

  • Safe Lunar Landing: The mission seeks to achieve a controlled and precise soft landing on the moon's surface. By demonstrating this capability, India will join a select group of nations that have successfully achieved this feat.

  • Rover Operations: Once landed, Chandrayaan-3 will deploy a rover, named Pragyaan, to explore the lunar surface. The rover will traverse the terrain, collecting valuable data and conducting in-situ analysis of the moon's composition.

  • In-Situ Scientific Experiments: Chandrayaan-3 will carry a suite of scientific payloads on the lander and rover to perform various experiments. These experiments will focus on measuring plasma density changes, thermal conductivity, temperature, seismic activity, and elemental composition analysis of the lunar surface.
  • Technological Advancements:

  1. Throttle-able Engines: The lander is equipped with four throttle-able engines, allowing precise control during descent and landing.
  2. Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV): The LDV system will provide accurate measurements of the spacecraft's velocity during landing.
  3. Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE): This payload, located on the propulsion module, will study Earth from the lunar orbit, analyzing spectral and polarimetric observations.
  4. Hazard Detection and Avoidance: The lander is equipped with "Lander Danger Identification and Avoidance Cameras," enabling real-time communication between the lander, orbiter, and mission control during the descent.

Chandrayaan-3's Journey

Chandrayaan-3 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14, 2023, using the powerful GSLV Mark 3 heavy-lift launch vehicle. The spacecraft is headed for the moon's surface, with an expected landing date of August 23. The mission will operate for one lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days.

Overcoming Challenges:
Chandrayaan-3 is a testament to India's perseverance and commitment to lunar exploration. Following the setback of Chandrayaan-2's failed landing, ISRO remained undeterred and resolved to learn from the experience. Chandrayaan-3 addresses past challenges by simplifying the payload configuration and enhancing the lander's capabilities.

Continuing the Tradition:
In honor of Chandrayaan-2's legacy, the names Vikram and Pragyaan will be carried forward in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This symbolic gesture reflects India's dedication to its space exploration tradition and highlights the country's resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Chandrayaan-3 represents India's renewed ambition to explore the moon and overcome obstacles on its path to scientific discovery. With its objectives of safe lunar landing, rover operations, and in-situ experiments, the mission aims to expand our understanding of the moon's composition, geology, and plasma environment. Chandrayaan-3 not only embodies India's technological advancements but also showcases the nation's unwavering commitment to space exploration and its aspirations to contribute to humanity's collective knowledge of the universe.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

M.S. Dhoni: The Captain Cool of Indian Cricket

 M.S. Dhoni, whose full name is Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is a former Indian cricketer and one of the most successful captains in the history of Indian cricket. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen and finishers in the limited-overs format of the game. Here are some key highlights of M.S. Dhoni's career: Captaincy: Dhoni captained the Indian cricket team in all three formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is) from 2007 to 2016. Under his leadership, India achieved several significant milestones, including winning the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, reaching the number one ranking in Test cricket, and winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. He also led India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Wicket-Keeping Skills: Dhoni is known for his exceptional wicket-keeping skills and lightning-fast stumpings. His ability to read the game and make quick decisions behind the stumps earned him the reputation of being one of the best wicket-keepers in the ...

India's Voyage to the Moon - Chandrayaan-1

Chandrayaan-1 was India's first lunar mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on October 22, 2008. It was an unmanned spacecraft designed to orbit the Moon and study its surface and composition.   The name "Chandrayaan" is derived from the Sanskrit words "Chandra" (Moon) and "Yaan" (craft or vehicle).  The primary objectives of Chandrayaan-1 were to create a high-resolution 3D map of the lunar surface, study the distribution of various elements and minerals, search for water ice on the Moon, and investigate the Moon's geology and topography. The mission aimed to enhance our understanding of the Moon's origin and evolution. Objective of Chandrayaan-1 1. Scientific Exploration : The primary objective of Chandrayaan-1 was to conduct scientific research and exploration of the Moon. By studying the Moon's surface, composition, and topography, scientists aimed to gain a better understanding of its origin, evolution,...