Chandrayaan 3: Updates from Launching to Today
Chandrayaan 3 is the third lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The mission consists of a lander module (LM), a propulsion module (PM), and a rover. The LM is named Vikram, and the rover is named Pragyan.
Launch and Early Orbital Phase
The launch of Chandrayaan 3 was successful, and the spacecraft entered a parking orbit around the Earth. It then performed a series of orbit-raising maneuvers to reach the Moon.
On August 5, 2023, Chandrayaan 3 successfully entered lunar orbit. The spacecraft is now in a circular orbit around the Moon at an altitude of about 150 kilometers.
Separation of the Lander Module
On August 17, 2023, the Lander Module (LM) successfully separated from the Propulsion Module (PM). The LM is now on its own journey to the Moon, where it is scheduled to land on August 23.
The LM will land in the south polar region of the Moon. This is a region that has not been explored by any other spacecraft.
The Rover
The Pragyan rover will be deployed from the LM after it lands on the Moon. The rover is equipped with a variety of instruments to study the lunar surface.
The rover will explore the area around the LM and collect data on the composition of the soil and rocks. It will also measure the radiation levels on the Moon.
The Mission’s Goals
The main goals of Chandrayaan 3 are to:
- Soft land the LM on the Moon’s south polar region.
- Deploy the Pragyan rover to explore the lunar surface.
- Study the geology and mineralogy of the lunar surface.
- Measure the radiation levels on the Moon.
The success of Chandrayaan 3 would be a major achievement for India and would help to advance our understanding of the Moon.
The Future of Chandrayaan
If Chandrayaan 3 is successful, ISRO plans to launch a follow-up mission called Chandrayaan 4. This mission would also include a lander and a rover, and it would target a different region of the Moon.
Chandrayaan 3 is a major milestone in India’s space program. The success of this mission would pave the way for future lunar exploration missions by India.
