Chandrayaan-3

Delhi, Aug 07: Chandrayaan-3, India’s third moon mission, continues its successful journey towards the lunar surface as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently announced the completion of a significant orbit reduction manoeuvre.

The space agency reported that the spacecraft, equipped with retrofitting engines, has been brought closer to the moon’s surface, reaching an orbit of 170 km x 4,313 km. The next orbit reduction operation is scheduled for August 9, 2023, marking another milestone in the ambitious mission.

Since its launch on July 14, ISRO has been executing a series of calculated moves to gradually lift the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft into orbits progressively farther away from Earth. In the following weeks, there will be three more moon-bound manoeuvres leading up to August 17, after which the landing module, comprising the lander and rover, will separate from the propulsion module. Subsequently, the lander will undergo de-orbiting manoeuvres before initiating the final descent onto the moon’s surface.

The culmination of this extensive mission will be an attempted soft landing on the lunar surface on August 23. Chandrayaan-3 serves as a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 and aims to demonstrate India’s end-to-end capabilities in safe landing and roving on the lunar terrain. The spacecraft encompasses an indigenous propulsion module, a lander module, and a rover designed to develop and showcase new technologies necessary for inter-planetary missions.

The propulsion module plays a crucial role, carrying the lander and rover configuration until they reach a distance of 100 km from the lunar orbit. Moreover, this module is equipped with a Spectropolarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to conduct spectral and polarimetric measurements of the Earth from the lunar orbit, providing valuable data for scientific research.

Also Read: Transforming Connectivity: Agartala-Gangasagar Rail Link to Boost Northeast Development

The lander, on the other hand, possesses the capability to perform a soft landing at a pre-determined lunar site and will deploy the rover for in-situ chemical analysis of the moon’s surface during its mobility. This rover, equipped with scientific payloads, will conduct various experiments on the lunar terrain, adding to our understanding of the moon’s geology and surface composition.

The successful completion of Chandrayaan-3 will mark another significant achievement for India’s space program, showcasing the nation’s prowess in space exploration and technological advancements. The mission serves as a testament to the tireless efforts of ISRO’s scientists and engineers, who continue to push the boundaries of space exploration and demonstrate India’s growing presence in the global space community.

Chandrayaan-3’s mission objectives extend beyond its technical accomplishments; it also holds immense scientific and strategic importance. By gathering valuable data and insights from the moon’s surface, the mission contributes to our understanding of lunar geology and bolsters the scientific community’s efforts to explore the cosmos further.

Additionally, the successful execution of Chandrayaan-3 will pave the way for future interplanetary missions, establishing India as a significant player in space exploration. The mission showcases India’s dedication to advancing space research and its commitment to fostering technological innovation in the field.

As we eagerly anticipate the culmination of Chandrayaan-3 with the attempt at a soft landing on the moon’s surface, the nation watches with pride and hope for another momentous achievement in India’s space journey. The mission’s success will not only inspire future generations of scientists and engineers but also reinforce India’s position as a space-faring nation, contributing to the collective knowledge of humanity’s place in the cosmos.

The ongoing Chandrayaan-3 mission represents a remarkable step forward for India’s space program, demonstrating the country’s prowess in space exploration and technological capabilities. As the spacecraft steadily approaches the moon’s surface, the nation’s excitement and anticipation grow, and with each milestone achieved, India’s stature in the realm of space exploration is further enhanced. Chandrayaan-3 stands as a testament to India’s commitment to scientific discovery and innovation, and its success will undoubtedly inspire future generations to reach for the stars and explore the vast wonders of the universe.