Chandrayaan-3: An overview

Chandrayaan-3, launched on 14th July of this year, is the third lunar exploration mission by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), following the launch of Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. The mission aims to further enhance India’s capabilities in lunar exploration and scientific research. Announced after the partial failure of Chandrayaan 2’s lander Vikram in September 2019, Chandrayaan-3 was developed using lessons learned from its predecessors.

The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 is achieved with its successful soft landing on the lunar surface’s South Polar Region. This region holds significant scientific interest as it is believed to contain water ice. This ice will  provide insights into the origins of the Moon and Earth, and also offer resources for future interplanetary human missions. Chandrayaan-3’s mission architecture is similar to Chandrayaan-2, comprising a lander and rover, but it lacks an orbiter.

Instead, it features the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) instrument, aimed at discovering more Earth-like exoplanets. The orbiter serves as a communication relay between Earth and the lander-rover module on the Moon’s surface, in addition to conducting its own scientific investigations using on-board instruments.

As per reports, a crucial modification in Chandrayaan-3 is the simplification of the lander design to increase reliability during the landing phase. This change was implemented following the unsuccessful landing attempt of the Vikram lander during Chandrayaan-2. The new lander is equipped with advanced navigation and hazard-avoidance systems to ensure a more accurate and secure descent.

Moreover, the rover designed for lunar surface exploration is expected to carry more sophisticated scientific instruments to study the Moon’s surface, and analyse the distribution of water ice. This enhanced capability will provide a deeper understanding of the Moon’s evolution and potentially shed light on the presence of water on other celestial bodies and the mysteries of the Moon’s far side.

The chosen launch vehicle for Chandrayaan-3 is the Launch Vehicle Mark III (LVM III). This vehicle can carry heavier payloads and has a successful track record in previous launches. The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 will not only bolster India’s status as a major player in space exploration, but also significantly contribute to global understanding of the Moon and its resources. It will pave the way for future lunar missions, potentially including crewed missions, as ISRO aims to venture deeper into space.

In conclusion, Chandrayaan-3 exemplifies India’s determination to advance space exploration and scientific discovery. Building on the lessons from Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, ISRO has achieved a triumphant soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole, with the help of its advanced scientific investigations while inspiring the world with its remarkable accomplishments.