Introduction: India's space exploration program continues to push boundaries with the launch of Chandrayaan-3, the country's third lunar mission. Building upon the lessons learned from Chandrayaan-2, which encountered challenges during the landing phase, Chandrayaan-3 aims to demonstrate safe and precise landing capabilities on the lunar surface. This mission marks a significant milestone in India's pursuit of interplanetary missions and developing advanced technologies.
Components and Objectives: Chandrayaan-3 consists of three main modules: the Propulsion Module (PM), the Lander Module (LM), and the Rover. The PM acts as a communication relay satellite and carries the LM and Rover until the spacecraft reaches a 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon.
The primary objectives of the Chandrayaan-3 mission are as follows:
- Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface: Chandrayaan-3 aims to showcase the capability of achieving a controlled and precise landing on the lunar surface, overcoming the challenges faced during the previous mission.
- Rover Roving: The mission will demonstrate the mobility of the Rover on the Moon's surface, enabling it to explore and collect valuable data from various locations.
- In-situ Scientific Experiments: The Lander and Rover carry scientific payloads designed to conduct experiments and analyze the chemical composition, natural elements, soil, and water on the lunar surface.
Design and Features: The Propulsion Module, which carries the LM and Rover, features a box-like structure with solar panels for power generation. It also includes a scientific payload called Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE), which studies Earth's spectral and polarimetric measurements from the lunar orbit.
The Lander is responsible for the soft landing on the Moon and has been redesigned with improvements in mind. It includes four landing legs and four 800 Newton landing thrusters. The Lander carries three scientific payloads:
- Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE): Measures the thermal conductivity and temperature of the lunar surface near the polar region.
- Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA): Helps measure the seismicity around the landing site and provides insights into the structure of the lunar crust and mantle.
- Langmuir Probe (LP): Estimates the plasma density and its variations near the lunar surface.
The Rover, weighing 26 kilograms, features a six-wheeled design equipped with cameras, spectrometers, and a drill. With a range of 500 meters, it is expected to operate for one lunar day, equivalent to approximately 14 Earth days. The Rover's scientific payloads include:
- Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS): Enables qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis, providing valuable insights into the chemical composition and mineralogy of the lunar surface.
- Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS): Determines the elemental composition (Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe) of lunar soil and rocks near the landing site.
Mission Progress and Launch: Chandrayaan-3 was launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India. The spacecraft has now entered a 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon. The mission's final phase involves landing near the lunar south pole region, expected to take place on either August 23 or 24, 2023.
Collaboration and Future Endeavors: Chandrayaan-3 has received collaboration and support from various international space agencies. The European Space Tracking (ESTRACK), operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), will provide critical support during flight operations.
India has plans for a Lunar Polar Exploration Mission in collaboration with Japan, scheduled for 2025. Chandrayaan-3 is a stepping stone towards achieving the landing capabilities required for this ambitious future mission.
Conclusion: Chandrayaan-3 represents India's unwavering commitment to space exploration, scientific research, and technological advancements. As the mission progresses, scientists and space enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the valuable insights and discoveries that Chandrayaan-3 will bring us from the lunar surface. This mission showcases India's prowess in space technology and contributes to our collective understanding of the Moon's composition, history, and potential resources.