Chandrayaan 3: India’s Lunar Mission Continues

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is embarking on a major endeavour, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, with the goal of achieving a successful lunar soft landing. 

With ambitions to join the ranks of space exploration behemoths such as the United States, Russia, and China, India is on the verge of making history.

Continuing Lunar Exploration

Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and its second attempt at a careful landing on the lunar surface. The trip began on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 p.m., when the spacecraft blasted off from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), ushering in a new era in lunar exploration.

A Multifaceted Mission

Chandrayaan-3, which consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), a Propulsion module (PM), and a Rover, goes beyond just landing on the moon; it acts as a tribute to India’s technical strength as well as a proving ground for fresh developments required for future interplanetary missions. 

Fueled for Success

The Lander’s increased fuel capacity is an exciting upgrade, allowing for longer travel lengths to the intended landing place and other points of interest. Notably, the Chandrayaan-3 Lander deviates from its predecessor, the Chandrayaan-2 Lander, by having solar panels on all four sides.

Precision and Planning

The landing location was meticulously chosen using high-resolution pictures from the Chandrayaan-2 probe. Additional changes were made to guarantee a solid and durable landing, demonstrating India’s dedication to mastering this difficult task.

Navigating Excellence

Chandrayaan-3 incorporates sophisticated navigation and guiding technologies that allow for real-time monitoring and accurate modifications to the Lander’s velocity. Among these is the Laser Doppler Velocimeter, which uses laser beams to calculate the Lander’s speed relative to the moon’s surface.

Exploring the Cosmic Frontier: Chandrayaan’s Odyssey and ISRO’s Leadership

The Chandrayaan missions, which set out on a lunar exploration mission, exemplify India’s daring push into space. Chandrayaan-1, which was launched in 2008, was India’s first lunar exploration mission. 

This initiative, carried out using the PSLV-C11 launch vehicle, resulted in important discoveries, such as the existence of water and hydroxyl chemicals on the lunar surface, changing our understanding of our celestial neighbour, the Moon.

The following chapter in India’s lunar adventure, Chandrayaan-2, saw the creation and deployment of an Orbiter, Lander, and Rover, all aimed for the enigmatic lunar south pole. 

Carried aloft by the GSLV MkIII-M1 launch vehicle, the mission encountered hurdles as the Lander and Rover met unexpected challenges upon arrival. 

A Grand Legacy of Lunar Exploration

The desire to leave human footprints on lunar territory has previously been released primarily by NASA, which achieved six successful landings between 1969 and 1972, an epoch entrenched in history.

With NASA’s planned Artemis III mission scheduled for 2025, humanity’s lunar voyage is expected to resuscitate, rekindling interest in the Moon as an adventurous destination.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), an expression of India’s scientific genius, is in charge of these ambitious cosmic expeditions. ISRO is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and is part of the Government of India’s Department of Space. 

At the forefront of ISRO’s objectives is Antrix Corporation Limited (ACL), the organisation’s commercial arm responsible for promoting space-based merchandise, providing technical consultation, and facilitating the transfer of ISRO’s pioneering technologies. 

Guiding ISRO’s aspirations is Shri S. Somanath, a visionary leader propelling the organisation toward unprecedented accomplishments.

ISRO’s roots trace back to the Indian National Committee for Space Research, a derivative of the Department of Atomic Energy  established in 1962 under the tutelage of Jawaharlal Nehru. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, a luminary in his own right, perceived the profound implications of space exploration for national advancement. 

In 1969, INCOSPAR metamorphosed into ISRO, marking a transformative juncture in India’s cosmic aspirations. Today, as ISRO navigates a trajectory toward the stars, its legacy serves as a tribute to visionaries who recognized in space exploration a means to propel a nation toward excellence.