Chandrayaan 3 Mission
Essay on Chandrayaan-3: India’s Giant Leap in Lunar Exploration
Introduction
India’s space journey has seen remarkable achievements, and the Chandrayaan-3 mission is one of its most iconic milestones. It marks India’s renewed effort to explore the Moon, especially its south polar region. With Chandrayaan-3, India not only demonstrated its technological strength but also became the first country to successfully land a spacecraft near the Moon’s south pole. This essay explores the Chandrayaan-3 mission, its goals, launch date, budget, and how it continues the legacy of Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2.
What is Chandrayaan-3 Mission?
Chandrayaan-3 is India's third lunar exploration mission, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission’s primary objective was to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the Moon's surface, especially near the challenging south polar region.
Unlike Chandrayaan-2, which carried an orbiter, lander, and rover, Chandrayaan-3 only consisted of a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan, as Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter is still active and functional around the Moon.
Chandrayaan-3 was a mission of precision, learning from past experiences, and improving upon them with careful planning and advanced technology.
Also read : Artificial Intelligence...
Chandrayaan 3 Launching Date
The Chandrayaan 3 launching date was July 14, 2023, at 2:35 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. It was launched aboard the LVM3-M4 rocket (formerly GSLV Mk III), India’s most powerful launch vehicle.
After a successful launch, the spacecraft underwent several orbit-raising maneuvers before entering the Moon’s orbit. Finally, on August 23, 2023, India achieved what many other space powers had failed to do: a successful soft landing near the Moon’s south pole.
This event marked a historic day not just for India but for global space exploration, making India the fourth country in the world to soft-land on the Moon, after the USA, the former Soviet Union, and China.
Chandrayaan 3 Budget
One of the most talked-about aspects of the mission was the Chandrayaan 3 budget. The total cost of the mission was approximately ₹615 crores (about $75 million USD), which is significantly lower compared to lunar missions by other space agencies.
India has gained international praise for executing complex space missions at a fraction of the cost. This was possible due to ISRO’s efficient engineering, cost-effective innovation, and meticulous planning.
Despite the modest budget, Chandrayaan-3 delivered world-class results, proving that space exploration does not always require billions of dollars to succeed.
When was Chandrayaan 1 and 2 Launched?
To understand the significance of Chandrayaan-3, it is important to look back at the previous missions:
Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar mission, was launched on October 22, 2008. It was an orbiter mission and played a groundbreaking role in the discovery of water molecules on the Moon. It placed India among the elite group of space-faring nations and provided valuable data for future missions.
Chandrayaan-2 was launched on July 22, 2019. It included an orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan). Although the orbiter continues to function and send data, the landing attempt failed due to a last-minute software glitch, and Vikram crash-landed near the south pole.
These two missions laid the foundation for Chandrayaan-3, both in terms of experience and learning.
Objectives and Features of Chandrayaan-3
The Chandrayaan 3 mission objectives were focused, practical, and achievable. They included:
- Demonstrating a soft and safe landing on the Moon.
- Deploying the Pragyan rover to explore the lunar surface.
- Studying the Moon’s soil, temperature, and minerals in the southern polar region.
- Improving India’s capabilities in robotic lunar missions.
Some key features of the mission include:
- Vikram Lander: Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras, and engines to ensure a precise landing.
- Pragyan Rover: A six-wheeled rover that moved on the lunar surface, analyzing soil and conducting experiments.
- Communication: The lander and rover communicated with the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, ensuring seamless data transfer to Earth.
Scientific Achievements of Chandrayaan-3
Within days of the landing, the Pragyan rover started performing scientific experiments. Some major highlights include:
- Confirmation of the presence of sulfur and other elements in the lunar soil.
- Measurement of lunar surface temperature and thermal conductivity.
- Analysis of Moon’s seismic activity using the ILSA instrument.
- High-resolution images of the landing site and terrain.
These findings add to our understanding of the Moon’s geology and its potential to support future lunar bases.
Why is the South Pole of the Moon Important?
The south pole of the Moon is a region of high scientific interest because:
- It receives less sunlight, which means some areas remain permanently shadowed and may contain water ice.
- It has unexplored terrain and unique surface features.
- It is considered a potential site for future lunar exploration and human missions.
Chandrayaan-3 became the first mission in history to soft-land successfully in this challenging region, opening new possibilities for science and exploration.
Global Recognition and Public Reaction
The success of Chandrayaan-3 made headlines around the globe. World leaders, scientists, and space agencies congratulated India on this remarkable achievement.
Social media was flooded with messages of pride and joy, with the hashtag #Chandrayaan3 trending worldwide. Schools, colleges, and science centers held special programs to celebrate the success. ISRO scientists were praised for their dedication and brilliance.
The mission not only enhanced India’s global reputation but also inspired a new generation of students to pursue science and space research.
Conclusion
The Chandrayaan 3 mission is more than just a scientific endeavor—it is a symbol of India’s aspirations, capabilities, and determination. With a limited budget and immense talent, ISRO has once again proven that dreams backed by hard work and science can reach the Moon.
From Chandrayaan-1’s discovery of water to Chandrayaan-2’s near success, and finally to Chandrayaan-3’s perfect landing, India’s lunar journey reflects resilience and progress. The successful landing near the Moon’s south pole has opened new doors for global space exploration.
As India looks forward to future missions like Gaganyaan and Shukrayaan, the success of Chandrayaan-3 stands tall as a proud moment in space history.
Post a Comment