Chandrayaan-3, India’s latest lunar mission, is a bold continuation of the country’s journey in space exploration. Recent reports suggest that ISRO is working hard for a 3rd July launch. This mission, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to demonstrate India’s prowess in soft landing technologies and further contribute to our understanding of the Moon. This third lunar exploration mission by ISRO is a composite of three modules: propulsion, lander, and rover. Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, which included an orbiter, Chandrayaan-3 does not feature an orbiter. Instead, its propulsion module will function as a communications relay satellite while the spacecraft is in a 100km lunar orbit. In addition to this, the propulsion module will carry a payload called Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE), designed to study the spectral and polarimetric measurements of Earth from the lunar orbit.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is particularly notable because it has been developed with a cautious approach, learning from the experiences of the Chandrayaan-2 mission. In 2019, a software glitch in Chandrayaan-2’s soft landing guidance software led to a failed soft landing attempt after successful orbital insertion. Drawing from this experience, ISRO has taken all possible precautions to ensure Chandrayaan-3 is a success, strengthening every aspect of the mission and making the spacecraft more robust.
One unique feature of Chandrayaan-3 is the lander’s design, which has been modified based on the Chandrayaan-2 experience. This time, the lander will have only four throttle-able engines, unlike Vikram on Chandrayaan-2, which had five engines. The Chandrayaan-3 lander will also be equipped with a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV), which will add precision to the landing process. Additionally, the impact legs have been made stronger compared to Chandrayaan-2, and multiple contingency systems have been added.As of the latest updates, ISRO is aiming to launch Chandrayaan-3 in 3rd July, and the spacecraft has already reached the spaceport in Sriharikota . The mission’s success will be a significant milestone for India and a testament to the country’s growing capabilities in space exploration.
It’s worth noting that there is also a dedicated app for following ISRO’s missions, which might provide more up-to-date information about Chandrayaan-3. Chandrayaan-3 is a symbol of India’s dedication to advancing in the field of space exploration. Its success could lead to a new era of lunar exploration and provide vital insights into the lunar surface.
