Chandrayaan-3
India’s Leap to the Lunar Frontier
Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your rockets because we’re about to embark on a cosmic expedition like no other! With the launch of Chandrayaan 3, India’s latest lunar mission, we are filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and excitement. As the rocket soared into the sky, it was a moment that sent shivers down our spines for at least the first T+5 minutes — talk about an exhilarating ride!
I know some of you might be wondering, “What’s the fuss all about? Haven’t we been there, done that?” Well, my friends, fasten your seatbelts as we delve into the captivating saga of ISRO’s lunar ambitions.
Uncles and aunties, despite their fascination with the moon, rockets, and the phrase “it’s not rocket science,” are still quick to criticize the government’s investment in space missions like Chandrayaan 3. They question the expenditure without fully grasping the impact and significance of such endeavors. It’s akin to the early days of personal computing, where skeptics wondered why anyone would need a computer. Today, we find ourselves surrounded by an array of computing devices, with the average household owning an impressive number of them — let’s say, an average of three computing devices per household.
And get this; some folks are still convinced that the moon landing was faker than a Hollywood prop! Can you believe it? They think the moon is nothing more than a stage set, with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin taking a stroll in some secret desert location. Maybe they believe the moon is the ultimate getaway, where astronauts sip space margaritas and catch some cosmic rays!
But let’s not get caught up in the conspiracy theories. Space exploration is mind-blowing and important! The moon isn’t just a pretty face in the night sky — it holds the key to unlocking the secrets of our cosmic existence. By studying the moon, we can uncover our place in this vast universe and unravel the grand tapestry of our origins. So, dear skeptics, while you’re busy doubting, we’ll be over here blasting off to the moon, discovering new frontiers, and leaving you in our lunar dust! Buckle up, space cadets — it’s time to become true “lunartics” and moonwalk our way to understand the cosmos better!
ISRO equipped Chandrayaan 3 with a spectacular array of cutting-edge instruments to decipher the moon’s hidden treasures. Picture this: advanced spectrometers, high-resolution cameras, and ultra-sensitive seismometers, all working harmoniously to provide us with a never-before-seen lunar spectacle. It’s like giving the moon a close-up worthy of a Bollywood superstar!
So, what do these instruments mean for us Earthlings? Let’s imagine for a moment that the moon is the ultimate cosmic puzzle Piece, holding the key to unlocking profound mysteries. By analyzing the moon’s composition, mapping its topography, and monitoring its seismic activity, we gain invaluable insights into our cosmic existence. It’s like discovering a treasure map of our origins.
The implications are staggering. Chandrayaan 3’s findings will pave the way for a deeper understanding of our place in the universe and fuel future scientific endeavors. From unraveling the moon’s history and its relationship with Earth to potentially uncovering resources for sustainable space exploration, ISRO’s lunar pursuit holds immense potential for shaping our future beyond our wildest dreams.
Chandrayaan-3 has three primary mission objectives. Firstly, it aims to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, building upon the experience gained from the previous mission. Secondly, it aims to showcase the rover’s capabilities through mobility and in-situ scientific experiments. Finally, the mission seeks to gather valuable data on lunar surface thermophysical properties, seismic activity, plasma environment, elemental composition, and other such things.
If all goes according to plan, the spacecraft is expected to reach the Moon by the end of August, with the landing scheduled for either August 23 or 24. The chosen landing dates are strategic, as ISRO aims to touch down when the Sun rises on the lunar surface, allowing for approximately 14–15 Earth days of exploration time.
Unlike its predecessor, which aimed to explore the lunar South Pole, Chandrayaan-3 will venture approximately 70 degrees south. This decision is based on the realization that the Sun would not be visible at the South Pole, leading to a lack of power for the lander and rover.
To ensure a successful soft landing, ISRO’s Chairman, S Somanath, has reiterated the changes made to the lander for Chandrayaan-3. One crucial improvement lies in the lander legs, which have been strengthened to handle higher velocities, now increased from 2m/second to 3m/second. This upgrade ensures that the lander can endure higher landing speeds without risking damage.
Additionally, the lander has been equipped with more fuel to handle potential disruptions and provide the flexibility to adjust its course during the mission. Including a new sensor called the laser Doppler velocity meter will enable a comprehensive analysis of the lunar terrain and offer redundancy in velocity measurement.
Furthermore, ISRO has enhanced the software to increase its tolerance to failures like engine disruptions, thrust disruptions, and sensor failures, among others. Removing the central or fifth engine, which was a last-minute addition during Chandrayaan-2, allows for a more streamlined approach to landing.
The lander-rover duo is expected to function for 14 Earth days, corresponding to one lunar day, the Sun’s time to complete its cycle in the lunar sky. However, ISRO’s tests have shown the possibility of the batteries recharging upon the next sunrise, extending the mission’s lifespan even further.
Upon a successful landing, the rover Pragyan will slide down from the lander Vikram, initiating its lunar surface exploration using wheels while the lander’s cameras keep a constant watch on its movements.
Unveiling the Powerhouse Trio — Propulsion Module, Lander, and Rover
Propulsion Module: The Vanguard of the Lunar Journey
The Propulsion Module is the first stage of this lunar odyssey. Tasked with carrying the lander and rover configuration to a 100 km lunar orbit, it assumes the role of a box-like structure with a large solar panel on one side and a mounting structure, the Intermodular Adapter Cone, on top to accommodate the lander. But it doesn’t stop there; The propulsion module, responsible for carrying the lander and rover to the lunar surface until separation, will also carry a payload called Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE). This addition aims to discover smaller exoplanets outside our solar system and determine their potential habitability or the presence of life.
Vikram Lander: The Pinnacle of Precision
The Lander holds the key to the mission’s ultimate goal — a soft and secure landing on the Moon’s surface. The Bi-Propellant Propulsion System uses two liquid propellants, Monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON3), for combustion. MMH acts as the fuel, and MON3 serves as the oxidizer. When combined, they produce high-temperature gases, generating thrust through the rocket engine’s nozzle.
Emulating a box-shaped design, the lander is fortified with four sturdy landing legs and four 800 Newtons landing thrusters, each providing precise control during the crucial touchdown phase. A notable improvement from its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram lander, is the reduction in the number of engines. The Chandrayaan-3 lander will feature four throttle-able engines, ensuring an optimal landing experience.
ISRO’s meticulous attention to detail shines through in the lander’s upgraded features. Strengthened impact legs, increased instrumentation redundancy, and structural rigidity enhancements all contribute to the lander’s heightened resilience. Furthermore, adding a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) augments the lander’s capacity to gather critical velocity data during its descent.
The lander is equipped with three crucial payloads:
With three Indian payloads on Vikram, the mission will measure thermal conductivity, temperature, seismicity around the landing site, and plasma density variations on the Moon. Additionally, NASA’s contribution includes a passive Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) payload for lunar laser ranging studies.
1. Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE): Designed to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature of the lunar surface, ChaSTE will provide essential data on the Moon’s thermal properties.
2. Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA): Focused on measuring seismicity in and around the landing site, ILSA will deepen our understanding of lunar geophysical activity and crust and mantle structure.
3. Langmuir Probe (LP): This payload estimates plasma density and variations, offering valuable insights into the Moon’s exosphere and its interactions with the solar wind.
The instrument aboard the lander holds the key to humanity’s age-old dream of living on other celestial bodies, including Mars. These instruments will provide vital data on the Moon’s thermal properties, which is crucial for establishing sustainable human habitats on the lunar surface. It will not only aid in establishing sustainable human habitats on the Moon but will also provide valuable data for climate modeling, studying space weather effects, and understanding thermal properties across our solar system. The data will reveal the Moon’s geological history, informs space technologies, and inspires the next generation of explorers to venture into the cosmos, enhancing our understanding of the universe. A small step for mankind.
Pragyan Rover: A Pioneering Expedition on Six Wheels
The highly anticipated Rover is undoubtedly the star of Chandrayaan-3. With a robust six-wheeled design and weighing in at 26 kilograms (57 pounds), it embodies cutting-edge technology and scientific instruments.
Pragyan is equipped with two payloads: one to shoot lasers called the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) on the lunar surface. The second payload, the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), will emit radiation and conduct spectroscopy to analyze Lunar soil and rocks around the lunar landing site, Thereby aiding in understanding the moon’s elemental composition.
One lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days, marks the expected lifespan of the rover. Within this short timeframe, it will communicate vital data with the lander and the ground control team in India, unlocking the secrets of the Moon’s history, its atmosphere, and the potential presence of water ice within its soil.
Behind the Scenes: Captains of Innovation & Collaborating Titans:
Behind every great mission stands a team of exceptional minds. At the heart of Chandrayaan-3 lies the brilliance of countless ISRO engineers and scientists, with Chandrayaan-3 project director P Veeramuthuvel and Mission director Mohana Kumar playing a crucial role.
But Chandrayaan-3’s brilliance doesn’t stop at ISRO’s doorstep. The mission’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration and global partnerships with esteemed organizations like Godrej Aerospace, Centum Electronics, BHEL, HAL, L&T, Tata Industries, and many other Indian companies.
Chandrayaan-3’s journey embodies the essence of the Indian space sector, where collaboration, engineering brilliance, and scientific prowess converge to unlock cosmic mysteries. This mission signifies India’s indomitable spirit to explore new frontiers, inspiring the world and redefining the nation’s standing in the space race. As the Indian space sector continues to soar, Chandrayaan-3 remains an enduring symbol of India’s determination to reach for the stars and beyond
