Chandrayaan 3

Chandrayaan-3, the third mission in the Chandrayaan programme by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aimed at the exploration of the lunar south pole. Launched on July 14, 2023, it included a lunar lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan, akin to the Chandrayaan-2 mission of 2019. Unlike the previous mission, it did not include an Orbiter as it had already been installed by the earlier mission. It landed on the south side of the moon in August 2023 making India only the fourth country to achieve this feat.

Missions to Moon reveal interesting scientific facts about the universe which are key for progress of Mankind. Soviet Union was the first to land on the moon, which is a very challenging task with its Luna 9 mission in 1966. Then, the United States in 1969 with its Apollo Mission put the first man on moon. China’s Chang’e mission in 2013 was the third country to successfully land a rover on the moon without crashing. India’s first Lunar Mission- the Chandrayan (literally meaning moon-vehicle) I in 2008 was ground breaking as the orbiter mission mapped the Moon's surface in unprecedented detail, discovering water ice in polar craters. The point where Chandrayan I crash landed was named the Nehru Point. Chandrayan II put an orbiter around Moon in 2019 which provides valuable data about the moon. But Chandrayan II’s lander crashed at the “Tiranga Point’. However, the information collected through this process proved crucial for finally achieving success with Chandrayan III.

India's successful Chandrayaan-3 mission in August 2023 achieved a new milestone in lunar exploration, making India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the south pole. It was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. It was observed through a Virtual Launch Control Centre (VLCC) that played a crucial role in the mission's success. Located at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, the VLCC acted as a digital twin of the launch control center, simulating the launch and providing real-time data analysis and visualization. This enabled engineers to closely monitor the mission and quickly address any potential issues.

• Demonstrating the capability to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface with Lander (Vikram)
• Demonstrating the capabilities to explore the surface of moon with Rover (Pragyan)
• Carrying out in-situ scientific experiments on the lunar surface

Name	Function
Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA)	Study atmosphere & ionosphere of the moon and how they change over time
Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE)	Study the thermal properties of the lunar surface near the polar region.
Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA)	Measure the lunar quakes near the landing site and study the composition of the moon’s crust and mantle.
LASER Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS)	Determine the chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface.
Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS)	Determine the composition of elements such as Magnesium, Aluminium, Silicon, Potassium, Calcium, Titanium, and Iron in the lunar soil and rocks.
LASER Retroreflector Array (LRA) [sent by NASA on-board the mission.]	Passive experiment with optical instruments that act as a target for lasers and can be used for very precise tracking by spacecraft in the lunar orbit
Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE)	It aims to study the spectral and polarimetric measurements of earth from lunar orbit in the near Earth Infrared (IR) wavelength

The main reasons due to which the south pole of the moon is important is due to the presence of water in the form of ice. which can be used for multiple purposes such as:

• It can act as a coolant for equipment
• It can be broken down into Hydrogen (H2) to provide fuel for staging missions to Mars
• It can provide a record of geological activity on the moon such as lunar volcanoes

Topography and the harsh conditions of the region, for instance:

• Presence of Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSR): Most lunar descent vehicles rely on cameras to guide their final approach to lunar surface to avoid boulders and craters, however, in shadowed regions it becomes difficult to do so
• Unlike moon’s equatorial plains, both poles are heavily cratered, sloped, and rocky
• It is incredibly cold at the south pole, therefore, any lunar craft must be able to handle such low temperatures
• Since there is no sunlight at these regions, the lunar craft can’t rely on the solar power as a reliable power source

ISRO is collaborating with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and contributing to the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission or the "Chandrayaan 4," which entails deploying a lander and rover to the moon's south polar region.

The successful landing of the Chandrayaan 3 on the moon by ISRO in 2023 has boosted ISRO’s credentials as a reliable and cost effective space organisation to deliver on tough missions. The launch paved the way for a successful demonstration of India’s capabilities of not only reaching the moon, but also concluding a soft landing as well as demonstrating its rover capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi name the landing spot of Chandrayan 3 as the "Shivshakti Point" encapsulating the profound message that the potential of scientific prowess can be harnessed to elevate humanity's welfare. Compared to missions from other space agencies, Chandrayaan-3's budget was relatively modest yet it delivered due to innovative efficient indigenous technology. The success of this mission marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration journey, bolstering confidence in the nation's scientific and technological prowess, and setting the stage for even more ambitious and groundbreaking endeavours in the future. It has drawn worldwide attention and recognition for ISRO, enhancing its standing among international space agencies and opening doors for potential future partnerships. Chandrayaan-3 is significant for India as it aims to further lunar exploration, leveraging advanced technologies, fostering international collaboration, and potentially uncovering valuable scientific insights about the moon.