Hits: 1
Chandrayaan 3 India Lunar Landing And Exploration
Chandrayaan 3 India Lunar Landing And Exploration is a recent event that has rekindled our fascination with the moon. India is a rising country in the realm of space exploration. Yet, they have achieved this remarkable milestone by their success in landing a spacecraft on the moon.
As India commences this eventful lunar research, many questions invariably find their way into discussions about our lunar companion. Could there be life beyond Earth? Could the moon serve as a hub for extraterrestrial activities? Some theorists speculate about the possibility of unearthing evidence of alien civilizations, concealed relics, or long-buried mysteries.
Stay glued and continue to read, this article brings you an expedition of the Chandrayaan 3 Space Mission.
Table of Contents
- Chandrayaan 3 India Lunar Landing And Exploration
- What Is Chandrayaan 3: Explained!
- What is the Mission of Chandrayaan 3
- What is The Budget of Chandrayaan 3
- What’s the big deal with the Moon’s South Pole?
- India’s Upcoming Lunar Dominance: A Closer Look
- Indian Moon Landing & Exploration: Final Words
- Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
- More Read…!
What Is Chandrayaan 3: Explained!
Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-up on the mission of Chandrayaan-2. It is a design to demonstrate safe lunar landing and rover capabilities. It consists of a Lander and Rover configuration launched via LVM3 from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota.
The propulsion module transported the lander and rover to the lunar orbit. This module also includes the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload for studying Earth’s spectral and polarimetric properties from lunar orbit.
The lander payloads comprise Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) for measuring thermal conductivity and temperature, the Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for seismic monitoring around the landing site, and the Langmuir Probe (LP) for estimating plasma density variations. Additionally, a passive Lunar Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is onboard for lunar laser ranging studies.
As for the rover, its payloads include the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) for analyzing the elemental composition in the landing site’s vicinity.
Details here >> https://www.isro.gov.in/Chandrayaan3_Details.html
What is the Mission of Chandrayaan 3
According to ISRO, the mission objectives of Chandrayaan-3 are:
1. To demonstrate a Safe and Soft Landing on the Lunar Surface
2. To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon and
3. To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
The goals of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, are to design and execute a lander that can achieve a gentle and secure lunar landing. Also, to showcase the rover’s mobility and exploration capabilities on the lunar surface. Finally, to conduct lunar scientific experiments on the moon.
Chandrayaan-3 Launch Date And Time
On July 14th, India’s journey to the South Pole commenced as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, named “Moon Vehicle” in Sanskrit, set forth on its mission from our home planet, Earth.
Time of Lunch: 09:05:17 UTC
On this date and time, the Indian Space Research Organization initiated its third lunar mission, Chandrayaan 3. The payload of their powerful launch vehicle was the Vikram Lander. It contained a multitude of scientific experiments and a reattempt of the Pragyan Rover. This was a duplicate of the one lost during the ill-fated moon landing missions of Chandranan 2, in September 2019.
The Chandrayaan 2 mission, despite its achievements, encountered a significant setback during the descent phase. This setback made Chandrayaan 3’s primary goal similar to that of its predecessor: to land the Pragyan Rover on the lunar surface successfully, specifically at the South Pole.
The mission’s comprehensive goal remained unchanged — to explore the topography of this region and potentially discover water ice, a crucial resource for future lunar exploration.
Chandrayaan 3 Landing Date On The Moon
On August 23rd, 2023, history was made when India accomplished an extraordinary feat in space exploration. They became the first nation to successfully land on the elusive South Pole of the Moon.
The moment the Chandrayaan 3 gently touched down on lunar terrain, the entire world observed in wonder, while back on Earth, the Mission Control in India erupted in celebration. This achievement isn’t just a scientific milestone; it is also a source of immense national pride for India.
Interestingly, India’s lunar touchdown occurred merely three days after Russia encountered a setback in a similar lunar mission. This setback dealt a blow to Russia’s ambitions of asserting its superpower status through lunar exploration.
What is The Budget of Chandrayaan 3
The Budget of Chandrayaan 3 in dollars
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission safely landed near the moon’s south pole, and it did so without breaking the bank. The whole mission approximately cost $75 million. That’s a lot less money than what Russia spent on its Luna-25 mission, which cost $200 million.
This recent mission to the moon truly showcases a cost-effective approach to a space mission. A budget of approximately $75 million is quite impressive, especially considering the fact that it covers not just the Rover but also various experiments that the Lander can perform. Chandrayaan 3 was meticulously planned, funded, and built with essential improvements and a few minor design tweaks compared to its predecessor, Chandrayan 2.
The main objective of this mission is to showcase its ability to reach the moon’s surface and collect valuable data for NASA’s Artemis program. This demonstrates how budget efficiency plays a crucial role in space exploration, making it accessible to more people and organizations.
What’s the big deal with the Moon’s South Pole?
So, what’s the big deal with the Moon’s South Pole? Well, this region holds immense strategic importance for a variety of reasons. Scientists have long been intrigued by the possibility of finding ice in this area, and that ice could become a crucial resource for future human endeavors beyond our home planet.
Imagine having access to essential supplies like fuel, oxygen, and even drinking water right there on the Moon. It’s like stumbling upon a gold mine for potential mining operations and creating a foundation for humanity’s expansion into space.
However, it’s essential to understand that landing in the South Pole region is ‘no walk in the park’. This lunar environment presents a unique set of challenges that make it far more demanding than other parts of the Moon. The terrain here is incredibly rugged, with many craters dotting the landscape, creating an intricate obstacle course for spacecraft. Moreover, sunlight is very rare in this area, making it even more complex for missions to operate effectively.
Given these circumstances, a smooth and successful Lunar Landing of Chandrayaan 3 in the South Pole region is nothing short of extraordinary. The Indians through meticulous planning and exceptional execution, just proved they have cutting-edge technology. With these, they were able to overcome the hurdles posed by this rugged and shadowy lunar landscape.
Apart from the pride and prestige it brings, India’s lunar achievement is poised to unlock fresh opportunities. It’s highly probable that other space agencies and foreign nations will extend invitations to India to launch commercial satellites. This could become a substantial source of income for the country.
India’s Upcoming Lunar Dominance: A Closer Look
The Chandrayaan missions weren’t just about discovering the moon. They were also about showing that India could take stuff from other countries and put it on the moon. India had already made deals with NASA and Japan’s space agency, JAXA, proving they could be trusted to work together on lunar missions.
Chandrayaan 3’s choice of landing zone at the lunar South Pole isn’t just about planting a flag; it’s like a giant sign saying, “Hey, world, check out what we can do!” It’s like India’s way of saying, “We’re open for business when it comes to lunar exploration.” It’s all about showcasing ISRO’s capabilities to potential collaborators.
(India is Open For Collaboration In Space Exploration)
This has become so evident, for instance, take Israel’s decision to sign the Artemis Accords, a set of principles that aims at guiding future space exploration efforts in a collaborative and sustainable manner. These accords are like a rulebook for countries that want to work together in space. They’re all about making space exploration a team effort, and that’s a big deal for the future of lunar exploration.
So, thanks to Chandrayaan 3, India’s not just exploring the moon; they’re helping to shape the future of space exploration too.
Furthermore, the PRAGYAN Rover’s design aligns with the particular objectives of these missions. It was not constructed to withstand the harsh lunar night or endure prolonged periods on the Moon’s surface. Instead, its engineering focused on functioning throughout the 14-day lunar day. During this period, it will be harnessing solar energy and effectively addressing the distinctive challenges posed by the Moon’s environment.
In essence, India’s endeavors in space, as illustrated by the Chandrayaan missions, illustrate the intricacies of lunar exploration. These missions encompass more than just scientific exploration; they also underscore the demonstration of technical expertise, the formation of international collaborations, and active participation in humanity’s ongoing journey beyond our home planet.
What Sets Chandrayaan 3 Apart From Chandrayaan 2 In The Construction Of The Mission
Chandrayaan 3 is different from its previous missions in terms of its build. Unlike Chandrayaan 2, which had an orbiter, this third mission uses a simplified propulsion stage instead. This stage’s main job is to carry the Lander and Rover to the lunar park.
The decision not to include another orbiter wasn’t because it wasn’t necessary. In fact, Chandrayaan 2’s orbiter was quite important, equipped with instruments and high-resolution cameras to observe the landing area. Since Chandrayaan 2’s orbiter is still working well, there was no need to send another one for Chandrayaan 3. This choice helped cut down the overall cost of the mission, even though the basic structure of the Lander and Rover remained unchanged.
Indian Moon Landing & Exploration: Final Words
India made history on August 23rd, 2023, by landing Chandrayaan 3 on the Moon’s South Pole. It was a huge accomplishment celebrated worldwide. India has now become the fourth country to reach the moon, following the United States, Russia, and China.
This lunar mission meant a lot to India. It wasn’t just about exploring space; there were also political and financial reasons behind it. Moreover, this successful mission could greatly help Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election campaign.
India’s space agency operates with a relatively small budget. Recent budget cuts have made their work even more challenging. To give you some perspective, NASA’s budget for 2023 is much larger than India’s space funding.
So, this has led India to seek foreign collaborations, especially in joint ventures for launching commercial satellites. More so, this collaboration could help them overcome their budget limitations.
The remarkable success of the lunar mission could raise India’s position in the global space competition, especially in Asia. It might even place India ahead of countries like Japan and South Korea, and not too far behind China.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What is Chandrayaan 3 budget in Rupees
The budget for Chandrayaan-3 is 615 crore rupees.
What Is Chandrayaan 3 Head Scientist’s Name?
Mohana Kumar is the name of the Mission Director of Chandrayaan-3.
Who is Mohana Kumar?
Mohana Kumar is a seasoned scientist based at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He earned his degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Kumar also has a PhD in aerospace engineering at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He is the Mission Director of Indian Chandrayaan-3.
Chandrayaan 3 journey to the moon lasted for how many days?
Chandrayaan-3 completed its journey to the Moon in 40 days
What is the total weight of Chandrayaan 3
Chandrayaan 3 has a total weight of 3,900 kilograms. The propulsion module accounts for 2,148 kilograms of this. The lander module, 1,752 kilograms, which includes the rover with a weight of 26 kilograms.
