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.