New Delhi, July 14 : With the launch of India’s third lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-3, just hours away, anticipation is mounting within the scientific community and the public. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch the mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 2:30 pm.
Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which faced challenges during its soft landing on the lunar surface in 2019. The mission aims to overcome previous setbacks and achieve its objectives successfully. The launch rehearsal has already been conducted, simulating the entire preparation and launch process.
Equipped with a lander, a rover, and a propulsion module, Chandrayaan-3 weighs approximately 3,900 kilograms. It carries a total of eight payloads, including instruments on the Vikram lander, Pragyan rover, and the Orbiter. These instruments will facilitate experiments related to surface properties, seismic activity, lunar environment, elemental composition, and spectral measurements.
The spacecraft’s journey from Earth to the moon is estimated to take about a month, with the landing expected on August 23. Upon landing, the mission will operate for one lunar day, equivalent to approximately 14 Earth days.
The success of Chandrayaan-3 is anticipated to boost morale and pave the way for future missions, including Gaganyan, India’s first manned space mission. The development of Chandrayaan-3 began in January 2020, and although the mission faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now on track for launch.
The previous Chandrayaan-1 mission, launched in 2008, made significant discoveries such as detecting water and hydroxyl on the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-3 aims to create a comprehensive atlas of the Moon, conduct chemical and mineralogical mapping, and contribute to a deeper understanding of the Earth’s past and the exploration of the solar system.
The director of ISRO, S Somanath, has expressed optimism that the spacecraft will successfully land on the moon on August 23, aligning with the lunar sunrise. However, any potential delays may push the landing to the following month. The upcoming launch marks another significant milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors.
