Chandrayan 3 is the third lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It consists of a lander and a rover similar to Chandrayan 2, but does not have an orbiter. Its propulsion module acts as a communication relay satellite. The mission aims to demonstrate soft landing on the Moon and explore its surface with the rover.
In this article, we will provide you with a detailed overview of Chandrayan 3, its objectives, its components, its launch and landing, and its expected outcomes. We will also answer some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Chandrayan 3 and its significance.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of what Chandrayan 3 is, what it does, and how it contributes to India’s space program and lunar science.
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Chandrayan 3: A Complete Guide to India’s Third Lunar Mission
Chandrayan 3 is India’s third lunar mission after Chandrayan 1 and Chandrayan 2. It is a follow-up mission to Chandrayan 2, which failed to land on the Moon in September 2019 due to a technical glitch. Chandrayan 3 aims to achieve the same objectives as Chandrayan 2, but with a simpler and cheaper design.
The Objectives of Chandrayan 3
Chandrayan 3 has three main objectives:
- To demonstrate soft landing on the lunar surface
- To deploy a rover and conduct scientific experiments
- To enhance India’s technological capabilities and scientific knowledge
The mission will focus on the lunar south pole region, which is of high interest for future exploration and habitation. The south pole region has craters that are permanently shadowed and may contain water ice and other resources. The mission will also study the lunar topography, mineralogy, elemental abundance, and surface chemistry.
The Components of Chandrayan 3
Chandrayan 3 consists of two modules: a propulsion module and a lander-rover module.
- The propulsion module is responsible for carrying the lander-rover module from the Earth orbit to the lunar orbit. It also acts as a communication relay satellite between the lander-rover module and the Earth station. The propulsion module has a mass of 2148 kg and generates 758 W of power.
- The lander-rover module consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan. The lander is designed to soft-land on the lunar surface using four throttleable engines. It carries four scientific payloads: RAMBHA (Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere), ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermo physical Experiment), ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity), and LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array). The lander has a mass of 1726 kg and generates 738 W of power.
- The rover is housed inside the lander and is deployed after landing. It is powered by solar energy and can move up to 500 m from the lander. It carries two scientific payloads: APXS (Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer) and LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope). The rover has a mass of 26 kg and generates 50 W of power.
The mission life of both the lander and the rover is one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days.
The Launch and Landing of Chandrayan 3
Chandrayan 3 was launched on July 14, 2023 at 14:35 IST (9:05 UTC) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota using an LVM3 M4 rocket12 The launch was successful and placed the spacecraft in an Earth parking orbit.
The spacecraft then performed several orbit-raising maneuvers using its propulsion module to reach a higher Earth orbit. From there, it performed a trans-lunar injection maneuver to escape the Earth’s gravity and enter the lunar transfer trajectory.
The spacecraft then performed several orbit-lowering maneuvers using its propulsion module to reach a circular polar orbit around the Moon at an altitude of about 100 km.
The spacecraft then separated the lander-rover module from the propulsion module. The lander-rover module then performed a de-orbit maneuver to lower its orbit to about 30 km.
The lander-rover module then performed a powered descent maneuver using its four engines to reduce its speed and altitude gradually. It also used its sensors and cameras to identify a suitable landing site and avoid any hazards.
The lander-rover module then touched down on the lunar surface near the south pole region on August 23, 2023 at 17:47 IST (12:17 UTC)34 The landing site was between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters, at a latitude of 69.367621 S and a longitude of 32.348126 E5
The lander-rover module then deployed the rover and started conducting scientific experiments and sending data to the Earth station via the propulsion module.
The Expected Outcomes of Chandrayan 3
Chandrayan 3 is expected to achieve several outcomes, such as:
- Demonstrating India’s capability to soft-land on the Moon and operate a rover
- Enhancing India’s reputation and prestige in the global space community
- Contributing to the scientific understanding of the lunar south pole region and its potential resources
- Inspiring future generations of Indians to pursue careers in science and technology
Chandrayan 3 is also expected to pave the way for more ambitious lunar missions in the future, such as Chandrayan 4, which may involve a human landing on the Moon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Chandrayan 3
Here are some of the most common questions that people have about Chandrayan 3 and their answers:
Q: How is Chandrayan 3 different from Chandrayan 2?
A: Chandrayan 3 is a follow-up mission to Chandrayan 2, which failed to land on the Moon in September 2019 due to a technical glitch. Chandrayan 3 has the same objectives and components as Chandrayan 2, but with some modifications and improvements. The main differences are:
- Chandrayan 3 does not have an orbiter, unlike Chandrayan 2, which had an orbiter that is still operational around the Moon.
- Chandrayan 3 has a simpler and cheaper design, with reduced mass and power requirements.
- Chandrayan 3 has improved sensors and cameras for landing guidance and hazard avoidance.
- Chandrayan 3 has a different landing site, closer to the lunar south pole region.
Q: How much does Chandrayan 3 cost?
A: The estimated cost of Chandrayan 3 is about ₹6.15 billion (US$82 million), which is much lower than the cost of Chandrayan 2, which was about ₹9.78 billion (US$131 million). The lower cost is due to the reuse of some components from Chandrayan 2, such as the lander and rover design, and the absence of an orbiter.
Q: How long will Chandrayan 3 last?
A: The mission life of Chandrayan 3 is one lunar day, which is equivalent to about 14 Earth days. During this period, the lander and rover will conduct scientific experiments and send data to the Earth station via the propulsion module. The propulsion module will remain in orbit around the Moon for a longer period, acting as a communication relay satellite.
Q: What are the challenges and risks of Chandrayan 3?
A: The main challenges and risks of Chandrayan 3 are:
- Launching and injecting the spacecraft into the correct orbit
- Performing orbit-raising and orbit-lowering maneuvers accurately
- Separating the lander-rover module from the propulsion module smoothly
- Performing powered descent and soft landing safely
- Deploying and operating the rover effectively
- Communicating with the lander-rover module via the propulsion module reliably
- Surviving the harsh lunar environment and temperature variations
The ISRO has taken several measures to mitigate these challenges and risks, such as conducting rigorous tests, simulations, reviews, and rehearsals, improving the design and performance of the components, enhancing the software and algorithms, and collaborating with other space agencies.
Conclusion
Chandrayan 3 is India’s third lunar mission that aims to demonstrate soft landing on the Moon and explore its surface with a rover. It is a follow-up mission to Chandrayan 2, which failed to land on the Moon in September 2019 due to a technical glitch. Chandrayan 3 has a simpler and cheaper design than Chandrayan 2, but with improved sensors and cameras for landing guidance and hazard avoidance. It also has a different landing site near the lunar south pole region, which is of high interest for future exploration and habitation.
Chandrayan 3 was launched on July 14, 2023 at 14:35 IST (9:05 UTC) from Sriharikota using an LVM3 M4 rocket. It reached a circular polar orbit around the Moon at an altitude of about 100 km. It then separated its lander-rover module from its propulsion module. The lander-rover module then performed a powered descent
