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Chandrayaan-3 represents the latest endeavor in India’s ambitious lunar exploration program, following in the footsteps of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. This mission is meticulously designed to demonstrate India’s growing prowess in space technology and to achieve significant scientific objectives on the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-3 is set to showcase a remarkable leap in interplanetary capabilities, emphasizing safe lunar landing and in-depth lunar surface exploration.
Comprising an indigenous Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM), and a Rover, Chandrayaan-3 aims to validate cutting-edge technologies necessary for successful interplanetary missions. Its Lander possesses the capability to execute a soft landing on a designated lunar site and subsequently deploy a Rover to conduct in-situ chemical analyses of the lunar terrain during its mobility. Both the Lander and Rover are equipped with scientific payloads, enabling experiments and data collection on the lunar surface.
The Propulsion Module’s primary function is to transport the Lander from launch vehicle injection to the final lunar orbit, where it will then separate from the Lander Module. Additionally, the Propulsion Module carries a scientific payload known as Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE), enhancing the mission’s scientific value by studying Earth from the lunar orbit.
Chandrayaan-3’s mission objectives are threefold: to demonstrate safe and soft lunar landing, to showcase the mobility of a Rover on the lunar surface, and to conduct invaluable in-situ scientific experiments. To fulfill these objectives, the Lander module incorporates an array of advanced technologies such as altimeters, velocimeters, inertial measurement systems, propulsion systems, navigation, guidance, control systems, and hazard detection mechanisms.
To validate these advanced technologies under Earth conditions, Chandrayaan-3 underwent a series of rigorous tests, including integrated cold tests and hot tests, to ensure its readiness for lunar exploration. With the integration of state-of-the-art instrumentation and robust scientific payloads, Chandrayaan-3 promises to unveil new insights into the lunar landscape and enhance our understanding of Earth’s celestial neighbor.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission Overview
| Parameter | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Mission Life (Lander & Rover) | One lunar day (~14 Earth days) |
| Landing Site (Prime) | 4 km x 2.4 km at 69.367621 S, 32.348126 E |
| Mass | – Propulsion Module: 2148 kg – Lander Module: 1752 kg (including Rover of 26 kg) – Total: 3900 kg |
| Power generation | – Propulsion Module: 758 W – Lander Module: 738W (with Bias) – Rover: 50W |
| Communication | – Propulsion Module: Communicates with IDSN – Lander Module: Communicates with IDSN and Rover. Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter is also planned for contingency link. – Rover: Communicates only with Lander. |
Chandrayaan-3 Mission Objectives
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- To demonstrate Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface.
- To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon.
- To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
Chandrayaan-3 Advanced Technologies
To achieve the mission objectives, Chandrayaan-3 incorporates advanced technologies within its Lander module, including:
| Technology/Component | Description |
|---|---|
| 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 Detection & Avoidance Camera and Processing Algorithm |
| Landing Leg Mechanism | – |
Chandrayaan-3 Lander Payloads
| Payload | Objectives |
|---|---|
| Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) – Langmuir probe (LP) | Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) – Langmuir probe (LP) |
| To measure the near-surface plasma (ions and electrons) density and its changes with time | To carry out the measurements of thermal properties of lunar surface near the polar region. |
| Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) | To measure seismicity around the landing site and delineate the structure of the lunar crust and mantle. |
| LASER Retroreflector Array (LRA) | A passive experiment to understand the dynamics of the Moon system. |
Chandrayaan-3 Rover Payloads
| Payload | Objectives |
|---|---|
| LASER Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) | Qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis and to derive the chemical Composition and infer mineralogical composition to further our understanding of the Lunar surface. |
| Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) | To determine the elemental composition (Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe) of Lunar soil and rocks around the lunar landing site. |
Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module Payload
| Payload | Objectives |
|---|---|
| Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) | Future discoveries of smaller planets in reflected light would allow us to probe into a variety of Exo-planets which would qualify for habitability (or for the presence of life). |
Are There Humans Inside Chandryaan-3?
Chandrayaan-3, a significant lunar mission, is devoid of human presence. This mission is valued at INR 615 crore and comprises two key components: the Propulsion Module and the Lander Module. Within the Lander Module, there resides a Rover named Pragyan, designed to conduct comprehensive studies of the lunar environment.
The decision to exclude human astronauts from Chandrayaan-3 is rooted in its primary objective: the mission does not entail a return journey to Earth. Both the lander and the rover are intended to remain on the lunar surface indefinitely. The rationale behind this choice is primarily safety-driven, as sending humans onboard would pose considerable risks to their well-being in the absence of a return plan.
What Are the Constituents of Chandrayaan-3 ?
Chandrayaan-3 is a remarkable lunar mission comprising a Lander named Vikram and a Rover called Pragyan. Its primary objective is to achieve a delicate and precise landing on the Moon’s surface, followed by the deployment of the Rover for conducting groundbreaking experiments on the lunar terrain. This mission holds great promise for scientific exploration and discovery on the Moon.
Will Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram and Pragyan Continue Exploring the Moon Beyond their 14-Day Mission?
The key information here is that both Vikram and Pragyan, the components of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, will remain on the lunar surface after their mission life is over and will not return to Earth. The reason for their relatively short mission life is that they rely on solar energy for power generation. However, it’s common for spacecraft to exceed their initially planned mission duration, so Vikram and Pragyan could continue to function beyond their designated 14-day mission period.
Dr. Sanat K Biswas, an Assistant Professor at the Space Systems Laboratory of the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, clarified that Chandrayaan-3 is not designed for a return journey to Earth. Instead, if the lander and rover continue to operate effectively, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will utilize them to gather more data about the lunar surface.
