12:33 (IST)
14 JUL 2023
As India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission takes flight, questions arise regarding the duration of its journey, the complexities of landing on the Moon, and the budgetary implications. Following the unfortunate end of the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019, which saw the Vikram lander crash into the lunar surface, the upcoming mission aims to overcome past setbacks and achieve a successful soft landing in the South Pole region of the Moon, with an expected arrival around August 23 or August 24.
The Moon, located approximately 384,400 kilometers away from Earth, presents numerous challenges for successful lunar missions. Unlike the low-Earth orbit, reaching the Moon demands considerably greater effort due to the vast distance involved. Moreover, the Moon’s extremely thin atmosphere eliminates the possibility of relying on atmospheric drag to decelerate spacecraft before landing. This necessitates the utilization of propulsion systems for descent, consuming additional fuel and requiring sophisticated landing computation systems.
The final approach, just a few kilometers above the lunar surface, proves critical. Flight computers must rapidly calculate and execute precise maneuvers to ensure a safe landing. Complicating matters further, the absence of a GPS system on the Moon poses difficulties in accurately targeting the pre-selected landing site.
Turning to the financial aspect, the projected cost of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was estimated at over Rs 615 crore, as disclosed by former ISRO Chairman K Sivan in 2020. Sivan provided a breakdown, revealing that the lander, rover, and propulsion module accounted for Rs 250 crore, while launch services amounted to Rs 365 crore.
However, it is worth noting that this figure was provided prior to the pandemic’s onset and before the mission experienced significant delays, pushing the launch from the original 2021 timeline to the current launch date in 2023. Consequently, there is a valid concern that the mission’s budget may have experienced substantial inflation over this extended period.
As Chandrayaan-3 embarks on its journey, India awaits eagerly, hoping for a triumphant outcome that will place the nation among a select few that have successfully conducted a soft landing on the Moon. While challenges persist, ISRO remains committed to overcoming obstacles and forging new frontiers in space exploration.
