Chandrayaan-3 Launches Towards the Moon: Continues Journey Ambitious India's 01/25/2025

Introduction

Chandrayaan-3 launches towards the Moon: India’s ambitious third lunar mission, has successfully lifted off, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s space exploration endeavors. This launch comes nearly four years after the unfortunate setback of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, which failed to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface in 2019. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched the ‘Launch Vehicle Mark-III‘ rocket carrying the next iteration of Chandrayaan from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota Island, South India. The scheduled launch time of 2:35 p.m. IST (2:05 a.m. PDT) was confirmed last week, and anticipation has been building since then.

The Chandrayaan-3 lander’s design & The lander en route to be fitted onto the Launch Vehicle Mark III

Chandrayaan-3: Mission Objectives and Technological Advancements

The Chandrayaan-3 mission, developed with a budget of under $75 million, comprises a lander, rover, and propulsion module, aiming to demonstrate safe landing and roving on the lunar surface while conducting on-site scientific experiments. The unmanned spacecraft is expected to achieve a soft landing on August 23, ushering in a new era of lunar exploration for India. With a payload mass of approximately 3,895 kilograms, Chandrayaan-3 carries a range of advanced technologies, including laser and RF-based altimeters, velocimeters, throttleable liquid engines, hazard detection and avoidance systems, as well as an improved landing leg mechanism.

Lessons Learned from Chandrayaan-2

Learning from the technical glitches that led to the unfortunate crash of Chandrayaan-2, ISRO has taken special measures to ensure a successful landing this time. Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 features an orbiter stripped of secondary payloads, allowing the primary focus to be on safely delivering the lander and rover to a hundred-kilometer lunar orbit. The lander itself underwent significant modifications to handle higher landing velocities and incorporates enhanced solar power capabilities and a bi-propellant propulsion system with increased propellant capacity to manage fuel fluctuations and uncertainties. Moreover, software-side improvements have been made, including updated control and guidance algorithms and support for managing multiple landing paths.

Chandrayaan-3: Scientific Objectives and Potential Discoveries

The Chandrayaan-3 mission seeks to deepen our understanding of the moon through scientific experiments examining its chemical and natural elements, as well as its soil and water composition. The data collected from these experiments will provide valuable insights into harnessing lunar resources to meet growing energy demands on Earth. India aspires to become the fourth country, after the former Soviet Union, the United States, and China, to successfully achieve a soft landing on the moon. Additionally, Chandrayaan-3 aims to be the first mission to land on the moon’s south pole using a locally-produced vehicle.

Chandrayaan-3 mission:
The ‘Launch Rehearsal’ simulating the entire launch preparation and process lasting 24 hours has been concluded.

Mission brochure: https://t.co/cCnH05sPcW pic.twitter.com/oqV1TYux8V
— ISRO (@isro) July 11, 2023

India’s Expanding Space Exploration Ambitions

India’s pursuit of space exploration has gained significant momentum in recent years. The country has witnessed the emergence of over a hundred spacetech startups focusing on various aspects of the space industry, from launch vehicles to satellite technology and hyperspectral earth imaging. In alignment with its space exploration vision, India recently introduced a space policy aimed at fostering collaboration between private players and government agencies.

Beyond Chandrayaan-3, ISRO has planned its first human space flight mission, Gaganyaan, as well as the Aditya L1 mission to study the sun. Collaborations with international space agencies are also in progress, including a partnership with NASA to launch a low-Earth orbit observatory in 2024. This ambitious endeavor aims to map the entire planet within a mere 12 days, providing consistent and invaluable data for analyzing changes in Earth’s ecosystems, ice mass, vegetation biomass, sea level, and natural disasters.

Conclusion

The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 signifies a renewed optimism and determination for India’s space exploration journey. With its impressive technological advancements and scientific objectives, the mission holds the potential to unlock crucial knowledge about the moon and its resources. As India aims to make history by becoming the fourth nation to achieve a soft landing on the moon, its growing presence in the global space community becomes evident.

India’s commitment to space exploration extends beyond lunar missions, with plans for human spaceflight, solar studies, and collaborations with international partners. By forging strategic alliances and fostering a vibrant spacetech ecosystem, India is positioning itself as a prominent player in the field of space exploration. As Chandrayaan-3 continues its trajectory towards the lunar surface, the world eagerly awaits the discoveries and achievements that lie ahead, propelling India to new heights in its cosmic pursuits.