Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, marked a historic achievement as it embarked on a mission to unravel the mysteries of our closest celestial companion. This remarkable mission achieved a successful launch and landing on the untouched south pole of moon’s surface. This ambitious undertaking marked a significant milestone in India’s space exploration history, building upon the lessons and successes gleaned from Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. Chandrayaan-3 was designed with a clear mission: to deepen our comprehension of the moon’s composition, geological characteristics, and its potential as a treasure trove of resources.
The Indian Express article, As Chandrayaan-3 lands on the Moon, the history of ISRO’s remarkable space voyage, written by Alind Chauhan, dated August 23, 2023, provides a historical overview of India’s space exploration journey, highlighting key milestones and developments in the country’s space program with respect to Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. India entered the space era with the launch of the Aryabhata satellite in 1975 followed by Bhaskar-I and Bhaskar-II, which laid the foundation for the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) Satellite system. Additionally, it also discusses the launch and significance of IRS-1A (1988), Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) and Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), operationally known as Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC). The article also covers the launch of meteorological satellites like KALPANA-1.
Rishika Singh in her Indian Express article, Chandrayaan-3 takes off for the Moon: Here’s everything you need to know, dated July 13, 2023, explains how Chandrayaan-3 mission, launched on July 14, represents India’s second attempt to achieve a successful ‘soft’ landing on the Moon, following the Chandrayaan-2 mission’s partial success in 2019 when the lander and rover crashed. The primary goal of Chandrayaan missions is lunar exploration. Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, aimed to create a detailed lunar atlas and conduct chemical and mineralogical mapping of the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-2, although its lander failed to soft-land, made discoveries related to water detection and lunar surface composition. Chandrayaan-3’s main objective is to demonstrate India’s technical capabilities and achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon. Some of the goals of this mission are to study lunar quakes, thermal properties, plasma near the surface, and measure Earth-moon distance accurately. The mission’s landing site is near the lunar south pole, a region of scientific interest, particularly regarding lunar polar volatiles, which could impact future deep space exploration and commerce. The journey from Earth to the Moon takes around 42 days, with the landing scheduled for August 23 at lunar dawn. Chandrayaan-3, like its predecessors, is expected to contribute to space discovery, technology advancement, global alliances, and inspire future generations of scientists and explorers.
Thanks for the ride, mate! written by Anonna Dutt in The Indian Express, dated July 18, 2023, explains how India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission is steadily advancing toward its lunar landing, accomplishing significant milestones along the way. The Lander Module has successfully separated from the main spacecraft, signalling the commencement of its final lunar journey. In the coming days, the Lander Module will execute two vital orbit-reduction manoeuvres, ultimately positioning itself in a 100 km x 30 km orbit before its anticipated touchdown on the Moon on August 23. Prior to descent, rigorous tests will validate the functionality of all onboard instruments. Meanwhile, the Propulsion Module, responsible for transporting the Lander, will continue to orbit the Moon, housing the SHAPE instrument to study Earth’s atmosphere from far.
Indian Express article, Chandrayaan-3 mission: Why ISRO wants to explore the Moon’s south pole, written by Alind Chauhan and Amitabh Sinha, dated July 10, 2023, explains that ISRO’s pursuit of lunar exploration at the south pole of the Moon is underpinned—July 10 by compelling scientific incentives. This region has remained largely uncharted due to its formidable terrain and extreme conditions. ISRO and the global scientific community are motivated by several key factors. Firstly, the potential presence of water ice in permanently shadowed areas holds promise for supporting future lunar missions, offering water for sustenance and rocket fuel. Secondly, the unique environment preserves ancient lunar material, providing a window into the Moon’s geological history and early Solar System evolution. Additionally, scientific interest in the region’s geological features and volatile history drives exploration efforts. Lastly, international collaboration fosters a comprehensive understanding of the Moon’s resources and enhances space exploration prospects. In summary, ISRO’s lunar south pole exploration aims to uncover water resources, study ancient materials, advance scientific knowledge, and engage in global lunar research, contributing significantly to our understanding of the Moon’s role in future space exploration.
Amitabh Sinha in Russia’s first moon mission in decades fails as Luna-25 crashes into lunar surface; all eyes on Chandrayaan-3 now, published in The Indian Express, dated August 20, 2023, explains how Russia’s Luna-25 mission ended in disappointment as it crashed on the Moon’s surface, marking the conclusion of Russia’s first lunar mission in 47 years. This outcome leaves India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission on track to potentially become the first spacecraft to successfully land near the lunar south pole. Chandrayaan-3’s Lander Module has moved into its pre-landing orbit, preparing for its scheduled landing. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that Chandrayaan-3 is functioning normally and will begin its descent during the lunar day-time. ISRO hailed this mission as a significant milestone for Indian science, engineering, technology, and industry, fostering a spirit of curiosity and exploration. In contrast, Russia’s Luna-25 faced issues during an orbit-reduction manoeuvre and ultimately crash-landed on the Moon’s surface. This marks the end of Russia’s first Moon mission since 1976.
The Indian Express article, Chandrayaan-3: All you need to know about the mission and what happens after its successful Moon landing, written by Anonna Dutt, dated August 29, 2023, explains how India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission made history with a successful soft landing on the Moon’s south pole on August 23, 2023. This achievement marked India as the first country to accomplish a soft landing at this challenging lunar location, which was a significant feat. Chandrayaan-3’s mission objectives included demonstrating safe and soft lunar landing, rover mobility, and conducting in-situ scientific experiments. Soft landing is a controlled descent to prevent spacecraft damage, and landing at the south pole posed unique challenges due to darkness, extreme temperatures, and large craters. Chandrayaan-2’s failure in 2019 prompted crucial changes and preparations for Chandrayaan-3, such as strengthening the lander’s legs, enlarging the landing area, carrying more fuel, and having solar panels on all sides. After landing, the mission’s instruments, and experiments, including payloads from NASA, are set to study lunar quakes, thermal properties, plasma changes, and mineral composition, advancing our understanding of the Moon and its history.
‘Shiv Shakti,’ ‘Tiranga’, ‘Jawahar Sthal’ after Chandrayaan missions: Who names sites on the Moon?—an article, dated August 29, 2023, by Rishika Singh of The Indian Express, explains that Prime Minister announced the name of the Chandrayaan-3’s landing site on the lunar surface as ‘Shiv Shakti’ during his visit to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru. The tradition of naming landing sites on celestial bodies has been followed globally for successful missions. Previously, the spot where Chandrayaan-2 crashed in 2019 was named ‘Tiranga’. It is important to note that the Moon, like outer space in general, cannot be owned or claimed by any one country, as per the Outer Space Treaty of 1966. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is responsible for naming planetary features, and its Working Groups handle the process. Names are often given informally and then submitted to the IAU for approval. Naming conventions for planetary objects include simplicity, clarity, non-duplication of existing names, and avoiding names with political, military, or religious significance. India has previously named lunar sites, such as ‘Jawahar Sthal’ after Jawaharlal Nehru and the ‘Sarabhai crater’ after Vikram Sarabhai, the first Chairman of ISRO.
The Hindu article, What it takes to soft-land on the moon, written by Godhashri Srinivasan, dated August 14, 2023, explains about the soft landing and different modules of Chandrayaan-3 mission. The mission consists of three modules: orbiter, lander, and rover. The propulsion module is responsible for transporting the lander and rover to the Moon, settling in a parking orbit of 100 km x 100 km around the Moon while the lander and rover separate for the lunar landing.
The article explains how lander module of Chandrayaan-3 houses the rover and boasts advanced technology for a secure soft landing, featuring altimeters, velocimeters, and hazard detection cameras. Additionally, a Laser Doppler Velocity Meter aids in assessing lunar terrain pre-landing. The mission follows a path similar to Chandrayaan-2, encompassing Earth orbit manoeuvres, Trans-lunar injection, and Lunar orbit makeovers. Post these phases, the lander separates, enters a closer lunar orbit, and initiates the intricate 15-minute soft-landing process. This phase entails precise engine firings, altitude and velocity measurements, and obstacle detection, utilising thrusters for controlled descent. Lunar dust generated during landing is a challenge, prompting enhancements in Chandrayaan-3’s lander, including sturdier legs, expanded solar panels, increased fuel capacity, and improved soft-landing sequences. Despite these difficulties, past missions by the USA, China, and the Soviet Union have achieved successful lunar soft landings. Chandrayaan-3’s goals encompass demonstrating secure soft landings, rover mobility, and conducting scientific experiments, such as investigating light polarisation, lunar surface temperature, ion and electron density, moonquakes, and lunar system dynamics.
Times of India’s Chandrayaan’s success will boost ISRO’s international collaborations and take it to another level, dated August 25, 2023, explains the significance of India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, emphasising its role in placing India among the global leaders in planetary exploration and resource extraction from space. It discusses India’s participation in the Artemis Accords, emphasising the renewed focus on international collaboration in India’s space program. It notes that how collaborations became more challenging after India’s nuclear tests in 1974 and due to Western concerns about missile proliferation.
The article underscores the importance of collaborations for ISRO’s technological advancement and mentions deepening partnerships, such as with NASA and the proposed lunar mission with JAXA. It also highlights the positive impact of collaborations on the Indian industry and technology diffusion. The success of Chandrayaan-3 and ISRO’s evolving capabilities are driving international collaboration, positioning India as a key player in space exploration and technology dissemination, in line with its original goal of aiding industrialisation.
The Hindu’s report, Chandrayaan mission a key milestone in ISRO’s journey, explains that the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission has positioned India to use the Moon as a launch point for future planetary missions, enhancing India’s standing in futuristic explorations, according to veteran space scientist K. Kasturirangan. He highlighted the significance of the soft landing and post-touchdown manoeuvrability, which have demonstrated ISRO’s comprehensive capabilities. Kasturirangan emphasised that planetary explorations would dominate the 21st century, and India’s lunar mission marked a key milestone in ISRO’s journey. Exploring the lunar south pole is essential due to its unique conditions and potential availability of water, which could be crucial for future missions. India’s membership in the Artemis Accords will enable further collaboration for lunar exploration and beyond. Kasturirangan also discussed the possibility of future human settlements and resource utilisation on the Moon.
The Indian Express’s Chandrayaan-3: On Moon, very hot to very cold—separated by just a few millimetres written by Amitabh Sinha dated August 30, 2023 reveals that ISRO has released data from the ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) instrument on the Chandrayaan-3 lander module. ChaSTE is designed to study the heat conductivity of the Moon’s surface and measure temperature differences at various depths, creating a thermal profile of the Moon. Initial data revealed a sharp temperature difference just above and below the lunar surface, with surface temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius and dropping to nearly -10 degrees Celsius just a few millimetres below the surface. These findings suggest that the lunar topsoil has low thermal conductivity, insulating the sub-surface from heat. The data aids in understanding the lunar thermal environment and materials suitable for lunar missions and infrastructure. It also contributes to the long-term goal of utilising lunar resources for sustainable lunar stations.
The Indian Express article, Chandrayaan rover detects sulphur, other elements on Moon: ISRO, written by Amitabh Sinha, dated September 1, 2023, reveals that ISRO has announced that Chandrayaan-3’s rover, equipped with the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument, has made the first-ever in-situ measurements of the elemental composition of the lunar surface near the Moon’s South Pole. These measurements have confirmed the presence of sulphur (S) on the lunar surface, which was not feasible to confirm with the instruments onboard the orbiters. Preliminary analysis also revealed the presence of aluminium (Al), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). Further investigations are ongoing to determine the presence of hydrogen (H). Understanding the elemental composition of the Moon’s surface is a significant science objective of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, and these findings contribute to lunar science and exploration.
The Hindu reporting reveals that Chandrayaan-3’s rover, Pragyan, has successfully completed its assignments and has been safely parked and set into the sleep mode as announced by ISRO. The rover has moved over 100 meters from the 2 September lander Vikram on the lunar surface. The battery is fully charged, and the solar panel is oriented to receive sunlight at the next sunrise expected on September 22, 2023. The lander and rover, with a mission life of one lunar day (equivalent to 14 Earth days), have conducted in-situ measurements and captured images since landing on the Moon on August 23.
The Indian Express article, Next mission to Moon is with Japanese, more of Chandrayaan, written by Amitabh Sinha, dated August 24, 2023, explains after Aditya L1, ISRO is working on sending an Orbiter to Venus within the next two years while the human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, is also being readied. But the next mission that is likely to result in the same kind of excitement as Chandrayaan-3 is likely to come in ISRO’s collaborative mission with NASA. Just a couple of months ago, ISRO and NASA agreed to send a joint human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station by next year.
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