Chandrayaan-3: India’s Ambitious Lunar Mission in Pursuit of a Soft Moon Landing
Introduction
Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, has embarked on a remarkable journey to explore the moon’s surface and attempt a “soft” landing. This ambitious venture, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to master the challenging technical aspect of softly touching down on the lunar terrain. A successful landing would place India in an elite group, making it only the fourth country to accomplish this feat, following the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union.
The Mission’s Importance
Chandrayaan-3 carries a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan, designed to conduct in-situ scientific experiments on the lunar surface. The mission’s primary objective is to achieve a “soft” landing, meaning the spacecraft lands intact and doesn’t crash upon reaching the moon. This task is extremely complex, and only a few countries have attempted and succeeded in it. The mission’s success would solidify India’s position as a major player in space exploration and lunar research.
The Previous Attempt – Chandrayaan-2
In 2019, India launched Chandrayaan-2, the predecessor to Chandrayaan-3. While the mission demonstrated significant progress, it encountered difficulties during the landing phase. At an altitude of 2.1 km from the lunar surface, the lander, Vikram, lost communication with the ground stations. Although the soft-landing objective was not achieved during Chandrayaan-2, it provided valuable data and insights that contributed to the preparation and improvement of Chandrayaan-3.
The Journey of Chandrayaan-3
On a momentous day, Chandrayaan-3 was launched at 2:35 PM from Srihari Kota, Andhra Pradesh, aboard the ‘Fat boy’ LVM3-M4, ISRO’s latest heavy lift launch vehicle. The launch was a critical stage, with precise ignition and separation timings for various rocket engines and boosters.
The Challenges of Soft Landing
Soft landing on the moon’s surface is a challenging endeavour. The lander must navigate through the moon’s gravity and a thin atmosphere without crashing or experiencing any catastrophic failures. To address the challenges faced during Chandrayaan-2, the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3 has been equipped with stronger legs to withstand higher landing velocities and minimize the risk of failure during touchdown.
The Significance of Soft Landing
A successful soft landing will open new opportunities for lunar exploration and research. The lander and rover are equipped with payloads to study lunar characteristics, analyze the moon’s atmosphere, and dig the surface to understand its mineral composition. This valuable data will contribute to our knowledge of the moon’s geology, potential resources, and provide crucial insights for planning future interplanetary missions.
The Role of Ritu Karidhal Srivastava
Dr. Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, a prominent scientist at ISRO, is leading the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Her expertise and leadership have been instrumental in driving the project forward. With her guidance, the team aims to achieve a successful soft landing and fulfill India’s dream of joining the league of spacefaring nations that have touched the moon’s surface.
Global Recognition and Support
Chandrayaan-3’s launch received widespread praise and support from leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The mission has garnered attention from global space agencies, with NASA congratulating ISRO on the launch and expressing anticipation for the scientific results.
The Journey Ahead
After the launch, the Chandrayaan-3 module will travel for about a month to reach the moon. The landing is planned for August 23 at 5:47 PM, but this timing may be subject to change based on the moon’s conditions. The lander and rover have been designed to function for one lunar day (equivalent to 14 Earth days) due to the extreme cold during the moon’s night. Thus, landing at dawn is crucial to maximize their operational time.
Conclusion
Chandrayaan-3 represents India’s determination to explore the moon and enhance its space exploration capabilities. The mission’s focus on achieving a successful soft landing is testament to India’s scientific prowess and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. As the module continues its journey towards the moon, the world eagerly awaits the results of this groundbreaking lunar mission. Success in Chandrayaan-3 will propel India’s space odyssey and inspire future generations of scientists and researchers to reach for the stars.