S200Separation

Nominal Flight Sequence

L110Burning Phase PLFSeparation

The rocket will also prove its capability for India’s human spaceflight as well as for global customers.

WHAT DOES CHANDRAYAAN-3 AIM TO ACHIEVE?

The mission objectives of Chandrayaan-3 are:

• To demonstrate a Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface

• To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon and

• To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.

To achieve the mission objectives, several advanced technologies are present in Lander such as:

• Altimeters: Laser & RF based Altimeters

• Velocimeters: Laser Doppler Velocimeter & Lander Horizontal Velocity Camera

• Inertial Measurement: Laser Gyro based Inertial referencing and Accelerometer package

• Propulsion System: 800N Throttleable Liquid Engines, 58N attitude thrusters & Throttleable Engine Control Electronics

• Navigation, Guidance & Control (NGC): Powered Descent Trajectory design and associate software elements

• Hazard Detection and Avoidance: Lander Hazard Detec- tion & Avoidance Camera and Processing Algorithm

• Landing Leg Mechanism.

To demonstrate the above said advanced technologies in earth conditions, several Lander special tests have been planned and carried out successfully viz.

• Integrated Cold Test: For the demonstration of the Integrated Sensors & Navigation performance test using a helicopter as a test platform

• Integrated Hot test: For the demonstration of closed-loop performance test with sensors, actuators, and NGC using a Tower crane as a test platform

• Lander Leg mechanism performance test on a lunar simulant test bed simulating different touch-down conditions.

WHAT MAKES CHANDRAYAAN-3 SO SIGNIFICANT FOR INDIA?

Chandrayaan-3’s objectives go beyond national significance. The mission has the potential to attract investments and bolster India’s private space sector. The global space exploration market, valued at $486 billion in 2022, is predicted to reach $1,879 billion by 2032. This surge in investments will pro-

CHANDRAYAAN-2

Chandrayaan-2 was India’s second lunar exploration mission, launched by ISRO on July 22, 2019 took it ahead of Chandrayaan-1. The mission aimed to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s surface and deploy a rover to conduct scientific experiments.

The spacecraft consisted of three main components: an orbiter, a lander called Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan. The orbiter played a crucial role in Chandrayaan-2’s mission, providing communication support and capturing high-resolution images of the lunar surface. However, during the final stages of descent, the lander, Vikram, encountered an issue and deviated from its planned trajectory, resulting in a crash landing on September 7, 2019. Despite this setback, the orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 successfully entered the moon’s orbit and continued to function as intended.

The orbiter carried a suite of scientific instruments designed to vide a significant boost to Indian companies and the national economy.

Furthermore, Chandrayaan-3’s successful launch has enhanced the reliability of the human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark (LVM). As India prepares for the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability, the utilisation of multiple systems rated for humans in the Chandrayaan-3 mission marks a significant milestone. The Gaganyaan project entails launching three astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, followed by a safe return to Earth with a landing in the Indian seas.

India’s space ecosystem is rapidly expanding, and Chandrayaan-3 plays a vital role in its development. India’s recent signing of the Artemis Accords for peaceful moon exploration, coupled with the issuance of its national space policy, showcases the nation’s commitment to boosting its space economy.

Chandrayaan-3 also signifies India’s growing indigenous technological capabilities, enabling collaborations with countries worldwide on various missions for this mission and the ones to come in the future. In 2024, India is set to launch NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), a joint observatory that will monitor minute changes in Earth’s surface using radars contributed by both nations. Furthermore, India has partnered with Japan’s space agency for the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, which aims to study water ice present in the moon’s permanently shadowed regions.

As multiple nations compete to reach the moon and establish a long-term presence near its south pole, the Chandrayaan-3 mission positions India as a key player in future lunar exploration. With its groundbreaking technologies, scientific objectives, and collaborative spirit, Chandrayaan-3 propels India further into the forefront of global space exploration.

WHAT IS NEXT?

The mission life of the lander and the rover is one lunar day which is equal to 14 Earth days.

The spacecraft was launched around this time as this is when the moon is closest to the earth. Now the whole process of the spacecraft reaching the moon is likely to take around 42 days, with the landing slated for August 23 at the lunar dawn.

study the lunar surface, atmosphere, and phenomena like moonquakes. It played a vital role in collecting valuable data and capturing detailed images of the moon’s surface, including the intended landing site. Equipped with advanced imaging capabilities, the orbiter has been instrumental in providing highly detailed and high-resolution images of the intended landing site. This extensive data has been meticulously analysed to gain insights into the topography, identify the presence of boulders and craters, and expand the potential landing area for future missions. Despite the challenges faced during the surface mission, the accomplishments of the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter cannot be understated. Its ability to capture precise and comprehensive imagery has significantly contributed to our understanding of the moon’s terrain and will play a crucial role in guiding future landing attempts. SP

After the lift-off on July 14, the craft will take about 15 to 20 days to enter the Moon’s orbit. Scientists will then start reducing the rocket’s speed over the next few weeks to bring it to a point that will allow a soft landing for Vikram.

If all goes to plan, the six-wheeled rover will then eject and roam around the rocks and craters on Moon’s surface, gathering crucial data and images to be sent back to Earth for analysis.

One of the unique challenges of lunar landings is the absence of a substantial atmosphere to slow down spacecraft as they descend. Unlike Earth, the moon’s atmosphere is incredibly thin. As a result, spacecraft must employ a more gradual approach and decelerate themselves to achieve a successful landing.

During a post-launch press conference, ISRO Chairman Somanath emphasised the significance of the next 42 days. The mission’s nominal programme includes five earth-bound maneuvers, scheduled to conclude on July 31. Subsequently, the trans-lunar insertion will take place on August 1, propelling Chandrayaan-3 toward the moon. After the spacecraft is captured by lunar gravity, the propulsion module and lander module will separate on August 17. If all goes according to plan, the landing is slated for August 23 at 5:47 pm IST, marking a pivotal moment in India’s lunar exploration.

WHY GO TO THE LUNAR SOUTH POLE?

A major attraction of the lunar south pole lies in its unexplored terrain. In comparison to the north pole, the surface area at the south pole remains largely unexplored, with extensive regions perpetually cloaked in shadow. This unique aspect opens up the tantalising possibility of water’s presence in these permanently shadowed areas. The revelation of water on the Moon during the Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008, near the south pole, further solidified the region’s significance.

NASA aptly acknowledges the challenges posed by the lunar south pole, describing it as a location with extreme and contrasting conditions. Nevertheless, these unique characteristics also hold immense promise for groundbreaking scientific discoveries in deep space. The region’s mysteries and distinct attributes make it an ideal setting for humanity to venture, reside, and conduct pioneering research. SP