Chandrayaan Missions of India – Part 5

(இதன் தமிழ் வடிவத்திற்கு இங்கே சொடுக்கவும்)

Chandrayaan 3

Chandrayaan spacecraft’s journey towards Moon

• The spacecraft will be expected to complete the 3,84,000 kilometers-long journeys in nearly 45 days.
• It begins its journey to the lunar world.
• Despite scorching heat and a forecast of dry weather, space enthusiasts had made a spacecraft to the moon mission.
• Chandrayaan-3 is designed with a focus on prior failure-based strategies to enhance mission success.
• The landing area has been expanded, allowing the Lander to safely touchdown anywhere within a 4kmx2.4km area.
• It has changed the Lander’s physical structure include removing the central thruster, strengthening the legs for higher velocity landings.
• It is adding more solar panels for increased power generation.

Implementation and Soft Landing

Launch and Timeline

• The LVM3 M4 launcher has been successfully utilized to launch Chandrayaan-3.
• Around 16 minutes after the LVM-3 lifted off, the spacecraft separated from the rocket.
• It has entered into an elliptic parking orbit (EPO).
• The Lander and the rover will have a mission life of one lunar day (about 14 Earth days) as they work on solar energy.

Orbiter 

• Chandrayaan-3 will not carry an orbiter but it will use data from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter.

Landing site 

• The site is decided at around 70 degree near the Southern pole of the moon.

Weight 

• Due to the modifications made for a safe landing, the weight of the payload is slightly more than the previous mission.

More fuel 

• More fuel has been filled for travel longer distances to the landing site or an alternate landing site.

Chandrayaan-3 Landing Date

• The Chandrayaan-3 moon mission has gone without any hurdle.
• The ISRO anticipated that the Vikram Lander will touch down gently on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023, at 5.47 pm.
• Additionally, this exploration will not only focus on the surface but also attempt to investigate the exosphere and subsurface.
• An orbiter from Chandrayaan 2 will be used by the rover of this spacecraft to connect with Earth.
• At a distance of 100 km from the lunar orbit, it will take photographs to examine the surface.

• It is continuously monitor the Lander’s speed and make the necessary corrections.
• This includes an instrument called Laser Doppler Velocimeter.
• It will fire laser beams to the lunar surface to calculate the Lander’s speed.

Importance of Landing near the Lunar South Pole

• Historically, spacecraft missions to the Moon have primarily targeted the equatorial region due to its favorable terrain and operating conditions.
• However, the lunar South Pole presents a vastly different.
• It is more challenging terrain compared to the equatorial region.
• Sunlight is scarce in certain Polar Regions.
• It is resulting in perpetually dark areas where temperatures can reach to -230 degrees Celsius.
• The lack of sunlight and extreme cold pose difficulties for instrument operation and sustainability.
• It makes them potential repositories of valuable information about the early Solar System.
• It is crucial to explore this region which could impact future deep space exploration.

Challenges of landing on the South Pole

• Previous spacecraft have mostly landed near the equatorial region of the Moon.
• Landing near the equator is easier and safer due to the hospitable terrain, smooth surface, absence of steep slopes, and ample sunlight for solar-powered instruments.
• The lunar South Pole, on the other hand, presents a challenging terrain with extreme temperatures and areas that are in permanent shadow, receiving no sunlight.

Why ISRO wants to explore the Moon’s South Pole?

• The South Pole region is believed to have water molecules in substantial amounts
• They are possibly trapped as ice in the permanently shadowed craters.
• Exploring and confirming the presence of water is essential for future human missions and the potential utilization of lunar resources.
• It is providing a preserved record of the Moon’s history and the early Solar System.
• The Moon is thought to have formed from debris.
• This debris generated by a giant impact between a Mars-sized object and the early Earth.
• By studying the lunar South Pole, the scientists can gain insights into the materials and condition.
• It is existed during the formation of the Earth-Moon system.
• ISRO-NASA successfully confirmed the presence of water from the data taken by Chandrayaan-1.
• Indo-Japan collaboration, LUPEX, aims to send a Lander and rover to the Moon’s South Pole around 2024.
• ISRO can develop and demonstrate innovative technologies for soft landing, navigation, resource utilization and long-duration operations.
• It can be applied in future space missions.

Significance of the Chandrayaan 3 Mission

Historic Lunar Landing

• A triumphant and accurate touchdown on the moon’s surface.
• Through meticulously planned phases, ISRO’s proficiency and unwavering commitment redefine India’s stature in the realm of space exploration.
• As the mission advances, excitement heightens, and the global community eagerly anticipated the momentous lunar landing scheduled for August 23, 2023.
• India's Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to continue the nation's lunar exploration efforts.
• It is built on the achievements of previous missions like Chandrayaan-1 and 2.

Future lunar exploration

• The Mission can play a vital role in India's quest to establish a human presence on the moon.
• The collaboration with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) for their Lunar Polar Exploration mission (LUPEX) or Chandrayaan-4, etc.

Advancing space education

• The Mission will work towards advancing space education and scientific temper in India.
• It can serve as an inspiration for the scientific community as well as future generations of space enthusiasts.

Lunar Surface Exploration

• Chandrayaan-2 rеvеаlеd moon details like landscapе, minеrals, and watеr.
• Chandrayaan-3's landеr and rovеr are studying rocks and soil to understand moon history, possibly revealing asteroid impacts that caused surface changes.
• Focusing on the moon's South Pole, Chandrayaan-3 aims to find minerals, underground features, and water, promising fresh insights into moon geology and resources.
• India aims to continue expanding its lunar exploration capabilities and contribute to global lunar research efforts.

Scientific Discoveries

• Chandrayaan-3 carries tools to study moonquakes and underground heat. 
• It will strengthen India's grasp of lunar geology, resources, and surroundings, deepening insights about celestial bodies.
• The Mission sееks to understand seismicity and thermal traits, enlightening.
• It can help to understand the moon's interior workings and broader cosmic areas.

India’s Space Ambitions

• Chandrayaan missions showcase India’s growing space capabilities and technological advancements.
• Successes and setbacks alike contribute to the nation’s experience and expertise in space exploration.

International Recognition

• Chandrayaan missions have earned India international recognition in the field of space exploration.
• They highlight India’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and space technology.

Job creation

• India’s booming aerospace technology sector has already created hundreds of jobs.
• It is to create additional high-tech business opportunities, both directly and indirectly.

Nurturing startups

• The success of Chandrayaan-3 could be a technology showcase, boosting India’s goodwill in the global space community.
• This could attract joint ventures and business opportunities for Indian companies.
• It is helping Startups to develop and develop space systems for the global market.

Strengthening international reputation

• Successful completion of Chandrayaan-3 will make India the fourth country to land on the moon.
• It is helping to get global recognition.
• It is leading to the cost-effective adoption of spacecraft.
• It is manufactured by Indian companies.
• This achievement could lead to useful international cooperation.

Strategic Positioning

• The success of Chandrayaan-3 could improve the position of India.
• It is an important player in the international space race, potentially matching China’s influence.
• With Russia facing economic sanctions, it is an opportunity for India to strengthen its position.
• Together with Artemis Accords, it will enhance India's ever-increasing space footprints.
• It is imperative to chart the way forward strategically.

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