This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, India’s groundbreaking lunar exploration venture. From the objective and completion of the mission to its pivotal learnings, this piece sheds light on key elements of Chandrayaan-3. It also delves into other notable Indian space expeditions and their significance.
Chandrayaan-3: An Unprecedented Endeavor
Historically marking its name, Chandrayaan-3 emerged as the leading mission to achieve a soft landing on the lunar south pole – an area yet untouched by exploration. The primary goal included demonstrating a safe lunar landing, the mobility of the rover, and implementing in-situ scientific experiments. By accomplishing this feat, India proudly stands alongside nations such as Russia, the United States, and China who have successfully landed on the moon.
Addressing the Obstacles: Chandrayaan-3 Vs. Chandrayaan-2
Chandrayaan-3’s success did not come without overcoming significant challenges, particularly learning from the failed landing of the previous Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019. The mission’s design approach was primarily “failure-based”, focusing on identifying and resolving potential issues drawn from past failures. Among the critical improvements made were strengthening the lander’s legs, enhancing landing site flexibility, and increasing fuel reserves.
The Decision to Land on the Near Side of the Moon
The decision to land on the moon’s near side was chiefly driven by the mission’s crucial aim of achieving a controlled soft landing. This choice allowed the Vikram lander to explore ‘permanently shadowed regions’ known to harbour potential water-ice and resources. Though fraught with cospatial complexities, such as requiring a communication relay due to the lack of direct sightline with Earth, landing on the near side presented smoother surfaces and many ‘maria’ (large volcanic plains).
The Post-Landing Actions of Chandrayaan-3
After landing, the Chandrayaan-3 mission is projected to function for a minimum of one lunar day (equivalent to 14 Earth days). The Pragyan rover will navigate within a 500-meter radius around the landing site and perform experiments while the Vikram lander will relay data and images back to Earth. These modules are equipped with advanced scientific instruments designed to investigate diverse lunar characteristics, including terrain analysis, surface chemistry, atmospheric attributes, mineralogical composition, and resource reservoir exploration.
Exploring the Future: Upcoming ISRO Missions
Apart from Chandrayaan-3, ISRO has several promising space explorations in the pipeline. These include Chandrayaan-4, a candidate for a lunar sample return mission; LUPEX, a collaborative mission with JAXA (Japan) to explore the Moon’s polar regions; Aditya L1, India’s first space-based mission to study the Sun; and XPoSat, India’s pioneer polarimetry mission to examine astronomical X-ray sources. Furthermore, NISAR, a joint venture with NASA, aims to comprehensively map the globe, whereas Gaganyaan aspires to send humans to space and back. Additionally, Shukrayaan 1, a planned mission to Venus, further underscores the breadth of India’s space exploration plans.
Reflecting on India’s Achievements in Space Science and Technology
India’s progress in the domain of Space Science and Technology is indeed commendable. From the successful execution of Chandrayaan-3 and its subsequent missions, India has demonstrated exceptional competence and innovation. The practical applications of these technologies have not only played a pivotal role in socio-economic development but also significantly contributed to understanding Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea levels, ground water and natural hazards.
India’s journey in space exploration has been marked by remarkable achievements and promises an exciting era of groundbreaking discoveries in the future. With a series of ambitious missions lined up, India continues to push the boundaries of space science and technology.
