The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently marked a crucial accomplishment in its journey towards the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The key feat consists of the successful conduction of the flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 cryogenic engine, which is destined to power the cryogenic upper stage of the launch vehicle for the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The test was executed at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, located in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
Noteworthy Aspects of the Test
The pilot test was conducted for a planned duration at the High Altitude Test Facility. During this process, all propulsion parameters were evaluated and found satisfactory, aligning closely with the predicted outcomes. Concurrently, there are plans underway to integrate the cryogenic engine further with the propellant tanks, stage structures, and associated fluid lines to conceive the fully integrated flight cryogenic stage.
The Chandrayaan-3 Mission Unveiled
Chandrayaan-3 represents India’s third venture into lunar exploration and follows in the footsteps of Chandrayaan-2, which was launched in July 2019. The primary objective of Chandrayaan-2 was to land a rover on the moon’s South Pole. However, the subsequent failure of the Vikram lander prompted the pursuit of another mission, aimed at exhibiting the essential landing capabilities required for the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission. This mission, proposed in partnership with Japan, is scheduled for 2024.
Key Features of the Mission
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is set to embark on its journey in 2023. It will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, using the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3). The mission comprises three primary modules- the Propulsion module, Lander module, and Rover. The Propulsion module will transport the Lander and Rover configuration until they reach 100 km lunar orbit. The Lander is equipped with the capability to soft land at a specified lunar site and deploy the Rover. The Rover will then execute in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during its mobility phase.
Background: ISRO’s Previous Success – Mangalyaan
ISRO has previously made significant strides in space exploration with the successful launch of Mangalyaan, also known as the Mars Orbiter Mission. Notably, this mission positioned India as the only country to have achieved success in making its spacecraft orbit Mars on its first attempt, a feat recognized in a question from the 2016 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Aspirations for India’s Own Space Station
India harbors ambitious plans to establish its own space station. Such a space station will provide a platform for India to conduct extensive research in fields such as astronomy, microgravity, and biological sciences. Furthermore, it would affirm India’s place among the leading nations in space exploration. These prospects were elucidated in a question from the 2019 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Benefits of Space Science and Technology for India
India’s progress in the realm of Space Science and Technology has not just been astronomical, but it has also reaped significant socio-economic benefits. Applications of space technology have enhanced disaster management, improved agriculture and forestry, streamlined urban planning, and contributed to water resource management. Consideration of these applications was broached in a question in the 2016 UPSC Civil Services Examination.
