"Chandrayaan-3: India's Historic Third Mission to the Moon"
Introduction
India has made history by successfully landing its
third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, on the moon's south pole on August 23,
2023. Chandrayaan-3 is the first mission to explore this uncharted region of
the moon, which is believed to hold vast reserves of water ice, and other
resources. Chandrayaan-3 is also one of the most cost-effective space missions
ever, costing less than some big-budget films.
What is Chandrayaan-3?
Chandrayaan-3 is the third and most recent Indian
lunar exploration mission under the Chandrayaan program of ISRO (Indian Space
Research Organisation). It consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover named
Pragyan similar to those of the Chandrayaan-2, which failed to land on the moon
in 2019 due to a technical glitch. Its propulsion module acts like an orbiter,
providing communication and navigation support to the lander and rover.
Chandrayaan-3 launched to the moon on July 14,
2023, at 5:05 a.m. EDT (0905 GMT or 2:35 p.m. local time July 14) from the
Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, India atop the medium-lift Launch
Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) rocket. After a month-long journey, Chandrayaan-3
entered the lunar orbit on August 14, 2023, and performed a series of orbital
maneuvers to lower its altitude and prepare for landing.
Here are some of the scientific experiments that will be conducted by Chandrayaan-3:
- The Lunar Sounder: This instrument will use radar to study the Moon's interior.
- The Terrain Mapping Camera: This instrument will create high-resolution maps of the lunar surface.
- The Chandrayaan-3 Multispectral Camera: This instrument will study the Moon's mineralogy and composition.
- The Chandrayaan-3 Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer: This instrument will study the Moon's elemental composition.
The main objective of Chandrayaan-3 is to
demonstrate India's capability to soft-land on the lunar surface and operate a
robotic rover on the moon. The secondary objective is to conduct scientific
experiments and studies using the instruments onboard the lander and rover.
Some of the experiments include:
● Measuring
the temperature and thermal conductivity of the lunar soil
● Detecting
the presence and abundance of water ice and other volatiles
● Studying
the mineralogy and chemistry of the lunar rocks
● Analyzing
the plasma environment and solar wind interactions
● Testing
new technologies such as laser retroreflector arrays and radio occultation
experiments
Why is Chandrayaan-3 important?
Chandrayaan-3 is important for several reasons.
First, it is a milestone for India's space programme, as it showcases its
technological prowess and scientific ambition. India is only the fourth country
to land on the moon after Russia, USA, and China, and the first to visit the
south pole of the moon .
Second, it is a valuable contribution to humanity's
knowledge and exploration of the moon, as it will provide new insights into the
origin, evolution, and resources of our natural satellite. The south pole of
the moon is especially interesting because it has permanently shadowed craters
that may harbor water ice and other volatiles that could be useful for future
lunar missions and colonization.
Third, it is a symbol of hope and inspiration for
millions of Indians and people around the world, as it demonstrates that
nothing is impossible with hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
Chandrayaan-3 is also a testament to India's spirit of resilience and
innovation, as it overcame the setback of Chandrayaan-2 and achieved its goal
with minimal resources.
The Future of Space Exploration
Chandrayaan-3 is just one step in India's journey to space exploration. India has ambitious plans to send astronauts to the Moon and Mars in the future. The success of Chandrayaan-3 would help to pave the way for these future missions.
The future of space exploration is bright, and India is playing a leading role in it. Chandrayaan-3 is a major milestone in India's space program, and it is a sign of things to come. I am excited to see what India will achieve in space in the years to come.
Chandrayaan-3 is a remarkable achievement for India
and for humanity. We congratulate ISRO and all the scientists, engineers,
technicians, and supporters who made this mission possible. We look forward to
seeing more amazing discoveries and images from Chandrayaan-3 in the coming
days. Jai Hind!🇮🇳
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrayaan-3
https://www.space.com/chandrayaan-3-indian-moon-mission-rover
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66425524
Dr. Mayank Chandrakar is a writer also. My first book "Ayurveda Self Healing: How to Achieve Health and Happiness" is available on Kobo and Instamojo. You can buy and read.
For Kobo-
https://www.kobo.com/search?query=Ayurveda+Self+Healing
The second Book "Think Positive Live Positive: How Optimism and Gratitude can change your life" is available on Kobo and Instamojo.
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