After Chandrayaan 2, is ISRO planning for a Chandrayaan 3?

In 2019, India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), embarked on its ambitious Chandrayaan-2 mission to land a spacecraft on the Moon. While the mission faced setbacks with the crash landing of the Vikram lunar lander, it was not a complete failure as the Orbiter continued to function successfully. Now, almost four years later, ISRO is gearing up for its next lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3 (Ch-3), with the primary objective of executing a precise landing on the lunar surface. In this blog post, we will explore what Chandrayaan 3 is, when it will be launched, its main features, the challenges faced by Chandrayaan-2, and the significance of India’s space program.

What is Chandrayaan 3?

Chandrayaan-3 is the upcoming lunar mission of ISRO and serves as a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2. Unlike its predecessor, which consisted of an orbiter, lander, and rover, Chandrayaan-3 will be a composite of three modules: Propulsion, lander, and rover. The mission aims to demonstrate the ability to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface and gather valuable data about the Moon’s topography, seismography, mineral distribution, surface composition, and more.

When will India launch Chandrayaan-3?

According to ISRO’s chief S Somnath, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is fully integrated, and the launch window is expected to be between July 12 and 19. The exact launch date will be announced after completing all necessary tests. If the launch takes place on July 14, the spacecraft is expected to reach the Moon by the end of August, with the landing scheduled for August 23 or 24. If these dates are not feasible, the mission may be postponed until September.

Chandrayaan-3 mission

What will be the main features of ISRO’s Chandrayaan 3?

Chandrayaan-3 incorporates several improvements and lessons learned from the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The lander, Vikram, will have stronger legs to withstand landing at higher velocities, addressing one of the challenges faced in the previous mission. ISRO has also introduced a new sensor called the laser doppler velocity meter, which will provide valuable data about the lunar terrain and enhance measurement redundancy. The software has been improved to handle failures and disruptions more effectively, and unnecessary components, such as the central or fifth engine, have been removed. The mission also features extended solar panels and increased panel area to ensure power generation even in different orientations.

READ MORE: Backgrounds of four crew members in the Gaganyaan mission

Moreover, ISRO has extended the solar panels and increased the panel area of the lander to generate more power. This ensures that the lander can continue generating power even if it lands in a different orientation or is not facing the Sun directly. These improvements and adjustments demonstrate ISRO’s commitment to overcoming challenges and maximizing the chances of a successful landing for Chandrayaan 3.

Chandrayaan-3 features

Why did Chandrayaan-2 lose signal?

During the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the Vikram lander lost contact with ISRO shortly before its scheduled touchdown on September 7, 2019. The lander was decelerating but failed to slow down to the required speed for a safe landing. It hit the Moon’s surface at a higher speed than anticipated, resulting in damage to the lander and its instruments. The cause of the crash was attributed to a small error that had been identified and corrected. The upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to rectify this and demonstrate the technology for a successful soft landing.

Is Chandrayaan-2 a failure for India?

chandrayaan 2

While the Vikram lander’s crash landing was undoubtedly a setback, the Chandrayaan-2 mission cannot be considered a complete failure. The Orbiter, which was a part of the mission, continued to operate successfully and provided valuable data about the Moon’s surface, sub-surface, and exosphere. The mission contributed to our understanding of the Moon’s origin and evolution, aswell as its topography, mineral distribution, and more.

The Orbiter’s findings added significantly to our knowledge of the lunar environment. Although the mission did not achieve its primary objective of a soft landing, it served as a stepping stone for future lunar missions and paved the way for Chandrayaan-3. The mission successfully explored the permanently shadowed regions, craters, and boulders beneath the regolith. These findings contributed to our understanding of the Moon’s origin and evolution.

Why is India’s space program Chandrayaan significant?

India’s space program, specifically the Chandrayaan missions, holds immense significance for several reasons. Firstly, it showcases India’s technological prowess and capabilities in space exploration. Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, detected water ice on the lunar surface, a groundbreaking discovery. These missions contribute to the global scientific community’s understanding of the Moon and its evolution.

Secondly, the Chandrayaan missions have sparked interest and enthusiasm among the Indian population, especially the youth, fostering a passion for science and space exploration. These missions inspire young minds to pursue careers in STEM fields and contribute to the growth of the nation’s scientific and technological capabilities.

Also, India’s space program aims to address societal challenges and improve the quality of life for its citizens. It focuses on applications such as communication, weather forecasting, disaster management, and resource mapping. By pushing the boundaries of space exploration, India’s space program opens doors for innovation, economic growth, and international collaborations.

Bottom Line

With the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, ISRO is poised to make another attempt at a lunar landing and further expand our understanding of the Moon. The lessons learned from Chandrayaan-2 have been instrumental in refining the technology and ensuring a higher chance of success. The Chandrayaan missions are a testament to India’s commitment to scientific advancement and exploration, igniting curiosity and enthusiasm among the masses. As India continues its journey in space exploration, the nation’s space program plays a vital role in shaping the future of scientific discovery and technological innovation.

What impact do you think a successful Chandrayaan-3 mission will have on India’s space program and the global scientific community? Let me know your thoughts by comments! 🙂

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mindfulness and Biased Decision Making: Decoding the influence

Image
Do you often react in the heat of the moment only to later question why you didn’t see the whole picture? It’s a pretty common human experience that, if understood correctly, can help us understand the role of mindfulness and biased decision-making . Why bother with all this, you might ask? Because understanding your quick reactions can help you see the hidden biases that often guide you. In today’s blog, I will discuss how being present with our thoughts can help us identify biases that even we fail to see. Here’s a quick overview of what’s ahead: Understanding Mindfulness Mindfulness and Decision-Making Impact of Mindfulness on Biases Mindfulness and Workplace Behaviour Practical Applications of Mindfulness  Let’s get started, shall we? Understanding Mindfulness Mindfulness is all about being in the present without getting caught up in our usual judgments. While this may sound trivial, it is a powerful tool when it comes to understanding ourselves and the decisi...
Read more

How To Use Habit Stacking for Multiple Passions Decisively

Jack of all trades, master of none. That’s pretty much what multitasking often does without us realizing it. We juggle multiple things at once – whether it’s learning a new language, mastering a musical instrument, or maybe trying a new fitness routine. In the end, we only find ourselves spreading thin and achieving little with all our creative multitasking strategies.  But what if there was a way to turn the tables around? This is where you can use habit stacking for multiple passions to cater to different interests without disturbing the rhythm anywhere. Let’s understand how it can help you manage and grow your diverse interests effectively. Why Use Habit Stacking for Multiple Passions? When it comes to efficient habit stacking, one argument that may cross your mind is whether it can be applied to multiple passions. Can it actually be used for multitasking? This is where it gets necessary to understand the psychology involved. Let’s take a look at it! The ...
Read more

How Body Awareness Decides When to Push or Rest

Image
We live in a world where each person has an unique capability and capacity. Someone scores higher grades than you, someone earns more than you, someone is fitter than you, and on and on… We tend to compare ourselves to other people whom we view from a distance. As a result, we become insecure about our efforts and try to go beyond our body limits. It isn’t necessarily bad to push beyond our limits, instead, it should be encouraged. But you can only push when you first pull back. It is like taking one step back to put two steps forward. We don’t know what is good for our bodies unless and until we have body awareness. This body awareness helps decide when you should push and go beyond your limits and when you should rest and refuel. The Role of Body Awareness in Decision-making What would happen if you never felt what your body was going through? What if you went numb to all the pain your body was suffer...
Read more