Chennai, India – India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is preparing for its highly anticipated Chandrayaan-3 mission, aimed at achieving a rare feat of a soft landing on the moon’s surface. Scheduled to launch from India’s spaceport on July 14, the mission represents the country’s determined efforts to join the elite club of nations that have successfully accomplished lunar missions.
The ‘Fat Boy’ LVM3-M4 rocket will carry Chandrayaan-3, marking the third lunar exploration mission in the fourth operational mission (M4) of the LVM3 launcher. After the launch, the soft landing on the moon’s surface is planned for late August. The Business Standard reported that the mission holds great significance for India as it aims to master the technology of soft-landing and become the fourth country to achieve this feat, following the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union.
Chandrayaan-2, India’s previous lunar mission, faced disappointment in 2019 when it failed to achieve the desired soft landing. However, scientists at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre have persevered and are now focused on perfecting the art of soft-landing on the lunar surface. The success of Chandrayaan-3 would demonstrate India’s capabilities in lunar exploration and pave the way for future interplanetary missions.
The mission consists of an indigenous propulsion module, lander module, and a rover, all aimed at developing and demonstrating new technologies required for interplanetary missions. The LVM3 rocket, known as the ‘fat boy’ due to its heavylift capability, has already proven its reliability with six consecutive successful missions. It is a composite of three modules: propulsion, lander, and rover.
To ensure optimal conditions for the launch, the window has been set for July, when the Earth and moon are closer to each other. Following the lift-off, the propulsion module is expected to separate from the rocket and orbit the Earth multiple times before heading towards the lunar orbit. The lander module will begin its descent for a soft landing on the moon’s south pole region, which offers potential scientific discoveries, including the possibility of water in permanently shadowed areas.
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
The Chandrayaan-3 mission carries several payloads aimed at studying and analyzing the lunar surface. These include SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth), which will study Earth from the lunar orbit; RAMBHA-LP, measuring plasma ions and electrons density; ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermo Physical Experiment), examining thermal properties near the polar region; ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity), measuring seismicity and lunar crust structure; APXS (Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer), deriving chemical composition; and LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope), determining elemental composition of lunar soil and rocks.
As the countdown to the launch begins, ISRO’s efforts signify India’s commitment to advancing space exploration and scientific endeavors. The Chandrayaan-3 mission not only represents India’s determination to achieve a successful lunar landing but also contributes to the country’s growing reputation in the field of space research and technology.
