Chandrayaan-3: India’s Latest Lunar Exploration Mission
Chandrayaan-3, the remarkable lunar exploration mission led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the prestigious Chandrayaan programme, marks a significant step in India’s space endeavors. This mission, comprising the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, shares similarities with its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, though it does not include an orbiter. The propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3 serves as a communication relay satellite, connecting with Earth. Let’s delve into the main objectives and key milestones of this extraordinary lunar expedition.
Objectives of Chandrayaan-3
- Demonstrating Soft Landing and Rover Operation Chandrayaan-3 aims to showcase a soft landing on the lunar surface, proving its capability to maneuver and operate a rover for 14 Earth days. This achievement would be crucial for future lunar exploration missions.
- Exploring the Lunar South Pole Region A major focus of the mission is to explore the enigmatic lunar south pole region. The lander and rover carry scientific payloads, enabling them to conduct various experiments in this uncharted territory.
- Testing Key Technologies for Interplanetary Missions ISRO plans to utilize Chandrayaan-3 to test vital technologies that will be vital for its future interplanetary missions, expanding India’s space exploration capabilities.
The Journey of Chandrayaan-3
1. Launch and Orbit-Raising Manoeuvres
On 14 July 2023, at 2:35 pm IST, the grand journey of Chandrayaan-3 began with a successful launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The mighty LVM3 M4, a three-stage heavy-lift rocket, carried the spacecraft, with a payload capacity of 4 tonnes to the lunar orbit. After the launch, Chandrayaan-3 performed five orbit-raising manoeuvres around Earth to attain the desired altitude and velocity.
2. Trans-Lunar Injection and Lunar Orbit Insertion
The spacecraft executed a critical trans-lunar injection (TLI) manoeuvre on 1 August 2023, propelling it towards the Moon. The TLI was a resounding success, positioning Chandrayaan-3 into a lunar transfer trajectory with specific perigee and apogee distances. Subsequently, on 9 August 2023, the spacecraft performed a lunar orbit insertion (LOI) manoeuvre, ensuring a smooth entry into a circular polar orbit of 100 km around the Moon.
3. Powered Descent and Soft Landing
On 23 August 2023, Chandrayaan-3 performed a precisely orchestrated powered descent phase. This involved a sequence of four engines firing on the lander module to reduce speed and altitude, ensuring a gentle landing on the lunar surface. The lander module utilized advanced sensors and cameras to identify and avoid potential hazards during the descent, leading to a successful soft landing at 17:47 IST (12:17 UTC). The landing site was strategically chosen near the lunar south pole region, between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters, with coordinates 69.367621 S, 32.348126 E.
Scientific Payloads and Operations
Following its triumphant landing, Chandrayaan-3 embarked on a series of crucial operations to fulfill its scientific objectives. The lander module established communication with ISRO’s ground stations and relay satellites using its solar panels and antennas. Subsequently, it released the rover module, named Pragyan (meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit), onto the lunar surface.
Pragyan is equipped with two important payloads, APXS and LIBS, designed to analyze the chemical composition of lunar rocks and soil using X-rays and lasers, respectively. The rover, alongside the lander module, will be operational for one lunar day (about 14 Earth days) during which it will conduct various scientific experiments and send valuable data and images back to Earth through ISRO’s ground stations.
Ongoing Endeavors and Future Prospects
As of 30 July 2023, Chandrayaan-3 continues to function splendidly and is in excellent health. It has already transmitted numerous awe-inspiring images of the lunar surface and its surroundings. The propulsion module, remaining in lunar orbit, will serve as a vital communication relay for three to six months, enabling seamless data transmission between the lander, rover, and Earth.
The success of Chandrayaan-3 represents India’s prowess in space exploration and serves as a stepping stone towards even greater interplanetary ambitions. With this remarkable mission, ISRO advances its technological capabilities and enhances our understanding of the Moon’s mysteries. As India’s lunar journey continues, the world eagerly anticipates further groundbreaking discoveries and achievements in the realm of space exploration.