New Delhi: Brace yourself for an enthralling journey into the realms of the moon as India’s prestigious Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares to unveil its magnum opus, Chandrayaan-3. In a daring bid to cement their place among the lunar pioneers, ISRO is all geared up to execute a flawless soft landing on our celestial neighbor. The countdown has begun, with the grand launch scheduled for this Friday.
Dubbed as the “Moon Magic,” Chandrayaan-3 follows in the footsteps of its acclaimed predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, poised to showcase a breathtaking display of end-to-end capabilities, including a breathtaking landing and a captivating lunar sojourn. Building on the success of the previous mission, ISRO has strategically chosen the month of July, leveraging the remarkable proximity between Earth and moon during this time of the year.
When and where will ISRO’s third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, launch?
The anticipation is palpable as the clock ticks closer to 2:35 PM (IST) this Friday when the mighty LVM3 rocket is set to soar from the iconic second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in the enchanting Sriharikota. This lunar spectacle promises an exhilarating experience, with millions around the world eagerly awaiting the breathtaking liftoff.
The ISRO will broadcast the launch live on its official website and its official YouTube channel.
Launch of Chandrayaan-3: Information about ISRO’s third lunar mission
Chandrayaan-3 signifies the third chapter of India’s lunar exploration saga, poised to be a captivating performance within the symphony of the fourth operational mission (M4) of the LVM3 launcher. Reverently called the “fat boy” by ISRO scientists, this behemoth of a rocket stands tall as the heaviest and most powerful of its kind. With an impeccable track record of six consecutive successful missions, this majestic beast is a triumphant fusion of three modules—propulsion, lander, and rover—each bearing the weight of our lunar ambitions.
As the momentous event unfolds, an awe-inspiring sequence will transpire. Just 16 minutes after liftoff, the propulsion module will gracefully separate from the rocket, embarking on a cosmic dance around the Earth. With each elliptical orbit, spanning from a tantalizing 170 km to a staggering 36,500 km, this celestial duo will traverse the vast expanse of space, eagerly advancing towards their destined rendezvous—the enigmatic lunar orbit.
Chandrayaan-3 mission:
The ‘Launch Rehearsal’ simulating the entire launch preparation and process lasting 24 hours has been concluded.
Mission brochure: https://t.co/cCnH05sPcW pic.twitter.com/oqV1TYux8V
— ISRO (@isro) July 11, 2023
But the climax is yet to come! Once the propulsion module, accompanied by the steadfast lander, attains the desired velocity, it will embark on a poetic odyssey, gracefully gliding through the cosmos for over a month. Their harmonious trajectory will culminate 100 km above the lunar surface, where an epic drama will unfold—the dreamy soft landing on the moon’s south pole.
On August 23–24, a gentle landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon is anticipated
As per the scientists at ISRO, after reaching the desired position, the lander module would begin its descent for a soft landing on the south pole region of the moon and this action is expected to take place on August 23 or 24.
The moon’s south pole region has been chosen because the Lunar South Pole remains much larger than that at the North pole. There could be a possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it.
The Rover, after the soft-landing, would come out of the lander module and study the surface of the moon through its payloads APXS – Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer – to derive the chemical composition and infer mineralogical composition to further enhance understanding of the lunar surface.
This dramatic choice of destination is not without purpose. The lunar south pole holds an intriguing secret—a vast expanse, shrouded in perpetual shadows, harboring the tantalizing possibility of water. With this knowledge at their fingertips, ISRO’s intrepid rover will emerge from the lander’s protective embrace, venturing forth to unlock the moon’s mysteries.
Equipped with the revolutionary APXS (Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer) and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, the rover will meticulously unravel the moon’s chemical composition, offering profound insights into its enigmatic terrain.
Chandrayaan-3 embarks on a triumvirate of missions:
The first objective: to demonstrate the impeccable art of a secure and gentle landing on the moon’s surface—a delicate ballet between technology and precision.
The second: to unleash the rover’s agile prowess, navigating the lunar plains with grace and dexterity, leaving behind tire tracks of wonder.
Last but not least, conduct fascinating in-situ scientific investigations to reveal the mysteries buried deep below the lunar soil.
Let’s travel back in time to when the Chandrayaan initiative was first implemented
On the terrible day of August 15, 2003, the late, venerable Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee put this brilliant notion into practise. Thus, the first segment of the story, Chandrayaan-1, proudly rose to the heavens on October 22, 2008. This triumph of human ingenuity, weighing a colossal 320 tonnes at liftoff, carried within its mighty heart eleven scientific instruments, harmoniously crafted by nations from around the globe.
Its noble mission?
To map the moon’s very essence, to decipher its chemical makeup, to uncover its hidden treasures. Unbeknownst to us, Chandrayaan-1 exceeded expectations, traversing the lunar skies for over 3,400 orbits—a celestial ballet performed beyond imagination. Alas, every dance must come to an end, and so it was with a heavy heart that ISRO bid farewell to its valiant explorer on August 29, 2009, as communication was lost.
Mission Chandrayaan-2 was unable to make the planned smooth landing
Buoyed by their triumphs, the indomitable spirits at ISRO conceived Chandrayaan-2, a mesmerizing sequel filled with audacious aspirations. Launched on July 22, 2019, this breathtaking odyssey brought together an enthralling trio—an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan—each crafted to unlock the moon’s deepest secrets.
Every step of the mission resonated with precision, until the fateful descent of Vikram. The nation watched with bated breath as the lander gracefully navigated its path, only to encounter an unexpected twist of fate—an abrupt loss of communication, casting a shadow over the desired soft landing.
Undeterred by this unforeseen turn, India’s indomitable spirit perseveres. Chandrayaan-3 rises from the ashes of setbacks, determined to rewrite history, to create a masterpiece on the lunar canvas. As we explore the wonders of the moon and watch a new chapter in India’s celestial history emerge, come along on this fascinating trip with us.
Be prepared for a spectacular display that will no doubt astonish viewers and pique our shared curiosity. This event will serve as a monument to the unquenchable spirit of discovery that resides inside everyone of us.
(With inputs from agencies)
