Introduction
In the realm of space exploration, India has emerged as a notable player with its Chandrayaan missions, which have gathered global attention and acclaim. Chandrayaan, meaning “Mooncraft” in Sanskrit, represents India’s ambitious endeavour to explore and study Earth’s nearest celestial neighbour.The Chandrayaan program, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is an ongoing series of missions aimed at exploring the Moon. These missions include orbiters, landers, impactors, and rovers, with the goal of understanding lunar mysteries and expanding our knowledge of our celestial neighbour.
The relevance of Chandrayaan missions stems from their scientific, technological, and strategic importance. These missions are not merely symbolic ventures; they signify India’s commitment to advancing space exploration for the betterment of humanity. The Moon, being a relatively close celestial body, offers valuable insights into the solar system’s formation, evolution, and various cosmic processes. Moreover, Chandrayaan missions provide a platform for testing cutting-edge technologies, encouraging international collaborations, and inspiring future generations of scientists and engineers.
Missions Overview:
There have been three Chandrayaan missions so far, with two orbiters, landers, and rovers each. While the orbiters achieved success, the first lander and rover of Chandrayaan-2 crashed during their landing attempt, in 2019. The current mission, Chandrayaan-3, has its lander in lunar orbit and is set to land on the Moon, in August 2023.
Phase I: Orbiter and Impactor (Chandrayaan-1):
Then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the Chandrayaan project in 2003, and it gained momentum after discussions within the Indian Academy of Sciences. Recognizing ISRO’s expertise, they established the National Lunar Mission Task Force. After obtaining approval from the Indian government, they launched Chandrayaan-1 in 2008. This mission’s Moon Impact Probe discovered water on the lunar surface, and it also performed tasks like mapping and atmospheric profiling.
Phase II: Soft Landers and Rovers (Chandrayaan-2):
Chandrayaan-2 was approved in 2008 but faced delays due to technical challenges. Launched in 2019, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit successfully but encountered a setback when the lander failed to land as planned. Despite this, the orbiter remains operational, conducting scientific research and expected to function for around 7.5 years.
Chandrayaan-3:
In response to the challenges of Chandrayaan-2, ISRO proposed Chandrayaan-3 in 2019. This mission focuses solely on demonstrating successful lunar surface landing and rover mobility. Vikram, the lander of Chandrayaan-3, is set to execute a gentle touch down on the Moon’s surface, a little after 6:00 pm on August 23rd. Once landed, it will release its rover, Pragyan, for further exploration. During the last 15 minutes of its descent, Vikram lander must transition from a rapid horizontal motion to a precise vertical alignment. The intricate landing process involves reducing its speed from 1.68 km/s (equivalent to 6,048 km/h) horizontally, shifting its orientation to become vertical, and ultimately achieving a controlled soft landing. The successful completion of this complex move is crucial for the mission’s overall success. K Sivan, the former chairman of ISRO, echoes this sentiment and compares this stage to “15 minutes of terror.” This comparison originates from the memory of India’s prior attempt in 2019, which regrettably concluded in failure while attempting to land on the lunar south pole.Hence, this pivotal moment will determine the mission’s outcome, as the lander navigates the challenging task of landing softly and securely on the Moon’s surface.
Phase III: Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Chandrayaan-4):
ISRO plans to launch the future Lunar Polar Exploration Mission, also referred to as Chandrayaan-4, sometime between 2026 and 2028. This mission, in collaboration with Japan, aims to explore the lunar poles, perform on-site sampling and analysis of lunar material, and demonstrate survival technologies needed for lunar life.
Conclusion:
India’s Chandrayaan missions represent an ambitious pursuit of lunar exploration, fuelled by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s dedication and technological expertise. Despite challenges faced during certain missions, the program’s success in orbiters, scientific discoveries, and technological advancements speaks to India’s growing influence in the field of space exploration. These missions not only deepen our understanding of the Moon but also inspire further scientific exploration and collaboration on a global scale.
Let’s wish for a triumphant touchdown, paving the way for a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey. This achievement has the power to make India even more skilled and her contributions monumental in the field of space exploration endeavours in the world.
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