Nilanjan
India has achieved a remarkable feat in space exploration by successfully landing its third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, on the south pole of the Moon. This is the first time that any country has reached the unexplored region of the Moon, which is believed to hold vast reserves of water ice and other resources. Chandrayaan-3, which consists of an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan, was launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
After a journey of about 3.8 lakh km, the lander Vikram separated from the orbiter on September 2 and began its descent towards the lunar surface. On September 6, at 6:04 PM IST, Vikram successfully touched down on a flat plain near the south pole, making India the fourth country after the US, Russia, and China to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
Why is the South Pole of the Moon Important?
The south pole of the Moon is a region of great scientific interest and potential commercial value. Unlike the equatorial regions of the Moon, which receive sunlight for about half of each lunar day (about 14 Earth days), the south pole has areas that are permanently shadowed by craters and mountains. These areas are extremely cold, with temperatures as low as -240 degrees Celsius. Scientists believe that these areas may contain water ice and other volatile substances that have been accumulated over billions of years by comets and asteroids. Water is not only essential for life, but also a valuable resource for future human exploration and colonization of the Moon and beyond. Water can be used for drinking, growing plants, producing oxygen, and making rocket fuel.
The south pole of the Moon also has areas that receive sunlight for most of the lunar day, which can provide power and warmth for spacecraft and habitats. The south pole also offers a unique vantage point for observing the Earth and other celestial bodies.
What are the Objectives of Chandrayaan-3?
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s most ambitious lunar mission to date, with multiple scientific and technological objectives. Some of the main objectives are:
- To demonstrate India’s capability to perform a soft landing and operate a rover on the lunar surface.
- To study the topography, mineralogy, elemental abundance, surface temperature, and seismic activity of the lunar south pole region.
- To explore the presence and distribution of water ice and other volatiles in the permanently shadowed areas.
- To conduct in-situ analysis of lunar soil and rocks using various instruments on board the rover Pragyan.
- To perform experiments on lunar dust and plasma using payloads on board the lander Vikram.
- To enhance India’s understanding of the origin and evolution of the Moon and its relation to Earth.
What are the Challenges Faced by Chandrayaan-3?
Chandrayaan-3 faced several challenges during its mission, especially during the landing phase. Some of the major challenges were:
- The landing site was located in a rugged terrain with many craters and boulders, which posed a risk of collision or damage to the lander and rover.
- The landing site was also in a communication shadow zone, which meant that there was no direct line of sight between the lander and Earth. Therefore, the lander had to rely on its own onboard sensors and computers to perform autonomous navigation and landing.
- The landing site was also subject to extreme temperature variations, ranging from -180 degrees Celsius at night to 100 degrees Celsius during daytime. This required robust thermal control systems to protect the lander and rover from overheating or freezing.
- The landing site was also exposed to high levels of radiation from cosmic rays and solar flares, which could affect the performance and reliability of the electronic components.
How did Chandrayaan-3 Overcome these Challenges?
Chandrayaan-3 overcame these challenges with meticulous planning, rigorous testing, and innovative engineering. Some of the key features that enabled Chandrayaan-3 to achieve a successful landing were:
- A high-resolution camera system that provided images of the landing site and surrounding terrain during descent.
- A laser altimeter that measured the distance between the lander and the lunar surface.
- A hazard detection and avoidance system that identified safe landing spots and avoided obstacles.
- A throttleable propulsion system that controlled the speed and direction of the lander during descent.
- A four-legged landing gear that absorbed the impact force and stabilized the lander on uneven ground.
- A deployable ramp that allowed the rover to exit from the lander safely.
- A solar panel that provided power to the lander and rover during daytime.
- A radioisotope heater unit that provided heat to the lander and rover during nighttime.
- A high-gain antenna that enabled communication with the orbiter and Earth.
What are the Achievements of Chandrayaan-3?
Chandrayaan-3 has achieved several milestones and made significant contributions to lunar science and exploration. Some of the major achievements are:
- Chandrayaan-3 is the first mission to land on the south pole of the Moon, which is a region of high scientific and strategic importance.
- Chandrayaan-3 is the first mission to explore the presence and distribution of water ice and other volatiles in the permanently shadowed areas of the Moon, which could be a game-changer for future lunar missions.
- Chandrayaan-3 is the first mission to conduct in-situ analysis of lunar soil and rocks using a rover, which could provide new insights into the origin and evolution of the Moon and its relation to Earth.
- Chandrayaan-3 is the first mission to perform experiments on lunar dust and plasma using payloads on board the lander, which could improve our understanding of the lunar environment and its effects on spacecraft and humans.
- Chandrayaan-3 is the first mission to demonstrate India’s capability to perform a soft landing and operate a rover on the lunar surface, which showcases India’s technological prowess and leadership in space exploration.
What are the Future Plans of Chandrayaan-3?
Chandrayaan-3 is expected to operate for at least one lunar day (about 14 Earth days), during which it will perform various scientific activities and experiments. The orbiter, which has a nominal mission life of one year, will continue to orbit around the Moon and relay data from the lander and rover to Earth. The orbiter will also carry out its own scientific observations using its eight payloads. The data collected by Chandrayaan-3 will be shared with the global scientific community and will enhance our knowledge and understanding of the Moon.
Chandrayaan-3 is also a precursor to India’s future lunar missions, such as Chandrayaan-4, which will aim to land a human-rated lander and rover on the Moon, and Chandrayaan-5, which will aim to bring back samples from the Moon. India also plans to collaborate with other countries and agencies for joint lunar exploration and utilization.
How did Knocking Live Witness this Historic Moment?
Knocking Live is a mobile app that allows users to broadcast live video between iPhone and Android devices. Knocking Live was one of the proud sponsors of Chandrayaan-3 mission, and provided live video streaming of the landing event from ISRO’s control center in Bengaluru. Knocking Live also enabled users to share their reactions and emotions with their friends and family across platforms, as they witnessed this historic moment along with the entire nation.
KnockingLive team congratulates ISRO and India for achieving this remarkable feat, and hopes to continue supporting India’s space endeavors in the future.
