India’s Chandrayaan 3 Moon Mission Set to Make History
At 2.35pm on July 14, India’s space programme will embark on a landmark mission as the Chandrayaan 3 launches from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This third lunar mission by India will feature a lander named Vikram, a rover called Pragyan, and a propulsion module, marking a significant departure from the previous mission which carried an orbiter. The integrated craft is expected to enter a 100km circular polar orbit in the third week of August before the lander makes its descent onto the unexplored high-latitude regions of the Moon, making India the first country to land in this area.
The Chandrayaan 3 mission aims to answer critical scientific questions about the Moon. Researchers hope to learn more about the production of seismic waves, the thermal insulating properties of the lunar surface, as well as the elemental and chemical composition and plasma distribution on the Moon. These inquiries will deepen our understanding of Earth’s closest interplanetary neighbor.
Building upon the success of Chandrayaan 2, which deployed an orbiter that’s still transmitting valuable data, Chandrayaan 3 will optimize the use of mass and propellant by reusing the existing orbiter from the previous mission. In 2019, the Chandrayaan 2 lander encountered a setback during its final kilometer descent, but the landing technology has since been refined and improved.
Landing on an extraterrestrial surface is a highly complex task that requires autonomous decision-making on the part of the onboard computer. The computer relies on various sensors to determine the craft’s location, height, horizontal and vertical velocities, and the intended landing surface. The data collected is continually fed into the computer, which manages navigation, communication, command, and control. Once the lander touches down, the focus will shift to the rover, which will be unclamped and begin its exploration, transmitting information back to ground controllers through the lander.
The development of this intricate landing technology is a testament to India’s expertise in the field. It involves scientists specializing in propulsion, mechanical and thermal engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, orbital mechanics, aerodynamics, navigation, command control, electronics, and material and electrical sciences. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) employs a two-step approach, starting with the study of complex technology and selecting the most suitable path based on previous missions’ performance. This is followed by rigorous reviews and evaluations to ensure any design flaws or unintended effects are identified.
The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) has focused on building the experiments and payloads for lunar science. Three payloads on the lander will measure moonquakes, provide information on plasma distribution, and analyze temperature distribution beneath the lunar surface. Additionally, two payloads on the rover will examine the elemental and chemical composition of the Moon’s surface. These in-situ experiments will enhance our existing knowledge and contribute to global research efforts.
Space missions of this magnitude not only inspire national pride but also possess strategic international significance. Chandrayaan 3 demonstrates India’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and potential future applications of the developed technologies. It is not merely a showcase of capabilities but an opportunity to gather crucial data and potentially pave the way for future endeavors, including the establishment of a second home for humanity.
As the world eagerly awaits the launch of Chandrayaan 3, the mission represents a significant milestone for Indian science. The experiments conducted and data collected will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of the Moon and its potential role in humanity’s future.
