Introduction:
.jpg "pICTURE Depicting Space & Chandrayan 3")
Phase 1: Chandrayaan-1:
In 2008, India embarked on its maiden lunar voyage with Chandrayaan-1. The mission's primary objective was to map the lunar surface and analyze its mineral composition. Equipped with advanced scientific instruments, Chandrayaan-1 successfully completed its mission by orbiting the Moon for ten months. It provided valuable data on the Moon's topography, mineralogy, and the presence of water molecules in the lunar soil. The remarkable success of Chandrayaan-1 laid the foundation for future lunar endeavors.
Phase 2: Chandrayaan-2:
Building upon the accomplishments of Chandrayaan-1, India set its sights even higher with Chandrayaan-2. Launched in July 2019, this second phase aimed to achieve a soft landing on the Moon's surface, making India the fourth country to achieve such a feat. Chandrayaan-2 comprised an orbiter, a lander called Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan.
1. The Orbiter: The orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 played a vital role in mapping the lunar surface and studying the Moon's exosphere. It carried eight scientific instruments capable of capturing high-resolution images and collecting crucial data about the Moon's composition.
2. The Lander: Vikram, named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program, was designed to make a controlled landing near the lunar south pole. It housed instruments to study the Moon's surface and conducted experiments to better understand its geology.
3. The Rover: Pragyan, meaning "wisdom" in Sanskrit, was a six-wheeled robotic vehicle carried by the lander. It was equipped with advanced instruments to analyze the lunar soil and carry out on-site experiments. Pragyan was designed to travel up to 500 meters during its mission duration.
Though the lander's attempted soft landing faced unexpected challenges and contact with Vikram was lost during descent, the orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 continued to orbit the Moon, capturing valuable data and relaying vital information back to Earth. Despite the partial success, Chandrayaan-2 showcased India's engineering prowess and determination to explore uncharted territories.
Chandrayaan-3 of India:
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a significant milestone for India's space program and demonstrates the country's growing capabilities in space exploration. The mission is also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the scientists and engineers at ISRO.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a exciting and ambitious undertaking, and it is sure to make significant contributions to our understanding of the Moon. ISRO is confident that the mission will be a success, and they are looking forward to sharing the results with the world.
Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission, is set to build upon the achievements and lessons learned from the Chandrayaan-2 mission. Although the latter experienced a partial failure when its lander and rover were unable to execute a soft landing on the Moon, Chandrayaan-3 will boldly attempt a landing near the unexplored south pole of Earth's celestial neighbor. This region remains untrodden by any other spacecraft, making the upcoming mission all the more significant in terms of potential discoveries.
The Primary Goal of Chandrayaan-3
The primary goal of Chandrayaan-3 is to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Moon's origin and evolution. By exploring the south pole, the mission aims to shed light on crucial aspects of lunar science, including the presence of water ice on the lunar surface. Such insights can provide invaluable information for future lunar exploration and possible human habitation.
India's space program will reach a significant milestone with the launch of Chandrayaan-3, showcasing the country's ever-growing capabilities in space exploration. The mission's realization stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment and perseverance exhibited by the brilliant scientists and engineers at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Chandrayaan-3 will utilize the same lander and rover employed in the Chandrayaan-2 mission, albeit with notable modifications aimed at improving the chances of a successful landing. These enhancements are the result of meticulous analysis and engineering advancements, paving the way for a more promising outcome.
Mission's Details:
- Name: Chandrayaan-3
- Meaning: "Mooncraft" in Sanskrit
- Launch date: July 14, 2023
- Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India
- Launch vehicle: GSLV Mk III
- Orbit: Lunar orbit
- Landing site: South Pole of the Moon
- Mission duration: 1 year
The Mission's Objectives:
- Demonstrating the capability of achieving a soft landing on the Moon
- Deploying a rover to the lunar surface to conduct in-situ chemical analysis
- Studying the lunar surface and its composition
- Searching for water ice on the Moon
Team of Chandrayan-3:
The Chandrayaan-3 team is led by S. Somanath, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The team consists of scientists, engineers, and technicians from all over India. They have been working on the Chandrayaan-3 mission for many years, and they are confident that the mission will be a success.
Chairman of Chandrayan-3:
The chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is S. Somanath. He is a career ISRO scientist and has been with the organization since 1985. He has held a number of positions at ISRO, including director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and director of the ISRO Satellite Centre. He was appointed chairman of ISRO in 2022.
Payloads:
- Lander: Pragyaan rover
- Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS)
- Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS)
- Propulsion module:
- Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload
- Budget: ₹615 crore (US$83 million)
.jpg "Lunal probe of Chandrayan 3")
Design of Chandrayaan-3:
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft consists of three main components:
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Chandrayan-3 Propulsion module:
The propulsion module is responsible for carrying the lander and rover into lunar orbit. It is also equipped with a payload called the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) that will study the Earth's atmosphere and climate.
Chandrayan -3 Lander:
The lander is responsible for the soft landing on the Moon. It is equipped with four throttle-able engines, a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV), and impact legs. The lander will also carry the Pragyaan rover.
Chandrayaan-3 Rover
The rover is a mobile laboratory that will traverse the lunar surface, collect samples, and analyse the geological and chemical composition of the Moon. The rover is equipped with a number of instruments, including an Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS), and a Terrain Camera.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is designed to be a failure-tolerant system. This means that if one component fails, the other components will be able to continue the mission. This design was implemented after the Chandrayaan-2 mission partially failed due to a software glitch.
Key Updates about Chandrayaan-3:
- The launch has been postponed from July 14, 2023 to August 23, 2023.
- The reason for the postponement is that ISRO needs more time to conduct a series of tests on the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft.
- The tests are being conducted to ensure that the spacecraft is safe and reliable.
- ISRO is confident that the Chandrayaan-3 mission will be a success.
- The mission is expected to provide valuable insights into the origin and evolution of the Moon, as well as the potential for water ice on the lunar surface.
- I will keep you updated on the latest news about Chandrayaan-3.
Conclusion:
Chandrayaan, India's ambitious lunar mission, has ushered in a new era of scientific exploration. With the successful completion of Chandrayaan-1 and the invaluable insights gained from Chandrayaan-2, India's space program has demonstrated its ability to undertake complex missions and contribute to our understanding of the Moon. As Chandrayaan-3 awaits its turn, the nation eagerly anticipates new discoveries and achievements that will propel India further into the annals of space exploration.
Sources info
1. What is Chandrayaan 3?
-Chandrayaan 3 is India's third lunar mission. It is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which partially failed after its lander and rover couldn't execute a soft-landing on the Moon. The Chandrayaan-3 mission will attempt to land near the south pole of the Moon, which is a region that has not been explored by any other spacecraft.
2. When is Chandrayaan 3 scheduled to launch?
-Chandrayaan 3 is scheduled to launch on August 23, 2023.
3. What are the objectives of Chandrayaan 3?
-The objectives of Chandrayaan 3 are:
- To demonstrate the capability of achieving a soft landing on the Moon
- To deploy a rover to the lunar surface to conduct in-situ chemical analysis
- To study the lunar surface and its composition
- To search for water ice on the Moon
4. What are the payloads on Chandrayaan 3?
-The payloads on Chandrayaan 3 are:
- Propulsion module: The propulsion module is equipped with a payload called the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) that will study the Earth's atmosphere and climate.
- Lander: The lander is equipped with four throttle-able engines, a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV), and impact legs. The lander will also carry the Pragyaan rover.
- Rover: The rover is a mobile laboratory that will traverse the lunar surface, collect samples, and analyse the geological and chemical composition of the Moon. The rover is equipped with a number of instruments, including an Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS), and a Terrain Camera.
5. Where will Chandrayaan 3 land on the Moon?
-Chandrayaan 3 is scheduled to land on the south pole of the Moon. This is a region that has not been explored by any other spacecraft.
6. How long will Chandrayaan 3 last?
-The Chandrayaan 3 mission is expected to last for 1 year.
7. What is the budget for Chandrayaan 3?
-The budget for Chandrayaan 3 is ₹615 crore (US$83 million).
8. What is the significance of Chandrayaan 3?
-Chandrayaan 3 is a significant milestone for India's space program. It demonstrates the country's growing capabilities in space exploration. The mission is also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the scientists and engineers at ISRO.
9. What are the challenges of Chandrayaan 3?
-The main challenge of Chandrayaan 3 is to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. The south pole of the Moon is a region with a lot of uneven terrain, which makes it difficult to land safely.
10. What are the future plans for Chandrayaan 3?
-ISRO is planning to launch a series of follow-up missions to Chandrayaan 3. These missions will build on the success of Chandrayaan 3 and will help India to further its research on the Moon.
