Chandrayaan-3, the highly anticipated lunar mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is set to embark on its journey on July 14, at 2:35 pm IST. This mission follows in the footsteps of Chandrayaan-2, which faced partial failure during its attempt to land on the Moon’s surface in July 2019. In an effort to rectify past mistakes, ISRO has made several modifications to Chandrayaan-3.
Scheduled for launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Chandrayaan-3 will be propelled by the Launch Vehicle Mark-III. The spacecraft aims to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface on August 23 or 24, approximately nine days after its launch.
Unlike Chandrayaan-2, which consisted of an Orbiter, Vikram Lander, and Pragyan Rover, Chandrayaan-3 comprises a Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM), and a Rover. The mission’s objective is for the lander to safely touch down at a designated lunar site, while the rover conducts on-site chemical analysis of the lunar surface. This phase of the mission will span one lunar day, equivalent to 14 Earth days.
ISRO has implemented several key changes to enhance the success rate of Chandrayaan-3. Notably, the mission will deploy two lander hazard detection and avoidance cameras, in contrast to the single camera used in Chandrayaan-2. Furthermore, these cameras have been engineered to be more robust and reliable compared to their predecessors.
Additionally, ISRO has rigorously tested the performance of the lander leg mechanism on Chandrayaan-3 to ensure its strength and durability throughout the mission.
Chandrayaan-3 leverages the existing orbiter from Chandrayaan-2, which remains operational and will play a crucial role in the upcoming mission.
ISRO’s continuous pursuit of lunar exploration showcases their determination to overcome past setbacks and further advance India’s space exploration capabilities. As Chandrayaan-3 prepares for liftoff, the nation eagerly anticipates another remarkable chapter in its space exploration endeavours.
