India’s Bold Leap: Live Updates of Chandrayaan 3 Launch as Country Advances its Lunar Mission

Chandrayaan-3: India‘s Mission to the Moon

Overview

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. If the mission is successful, India will join the exclusive list of countries that have achieved a soft landing on the Moon, which includes the United States, the Soviet Union, and China. The journey to the Moon will take approximately 42 days, during which the spacecraft will undergo various critical events before attempting a soft landing.

Difficulties of Landing on the Moon

Landing on the Moon is a challenging endeavor due to several factors. The Moon is about 384,400 kilometers away from Earth, making it a significant distance to cover. Unlike Earth, the Moon has an extremely thin atmosphere, making it impossible to rely on atmospheric drag for deceleration during descent. The spacecraft must rely on its propulsion systems, requiring precise calculations and manoeuvers to ensure a safe landing. Additionally, the lack of GPS on the Moon adds to the difficulty of landing at a pre-selected safe landing area.

Both the United States and the Soviet Union experienced numerous failed attempts before successfully landing on the Moon. China became the only country to succeed on its first attempt with the Chang’e-3 mission in 2013. The recent launch of China’s “methalox” rocket further demonstrates the country’s advancements in space exploration.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which encountered a setback in 2019 when the Vikram lander crashed into the lunar surface. The Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to learn from past failures and make crucial upgrades to ensure a successful landing.

The spacecraft consists of three main modules: the lander module, the propulsion module, and the rover module. The propulsion module’s primary job is to carry the spacecraft from an injection orbit around Earth to a lunar orbit. The lander will separate from the orbiter component once it reaches a 100-kilometer orbit. The orbiter will scan the lunar surface, while the lander will scan the landing zone from orbit. The lander will then initiate deboosting procedures to get closer to the lunar surface before attempting a soft landing. Once the lander is safely on the Moon, it will deploy the Pragyan rover on the lunar surface.

Significance of Chandrayaan-3

The successful completion of the Chandrayaan-3 mission will mark a significant achievement for India in the global arena of space exploration. The mission not only aims to demonstrate India‘s capability to achieve a soft landing on the Moon but also contributes to the global scientific community’s understanding of the Moon and its resources.

India‘s involvement in space missions goes beyond just exploring the Moon. Increased spending in space technology has impacted various sectors, such as road and railway construction, smart cities, telemedicine, and tele-education, making space technology an integral part of everyday life for many Indians.

Advice and Future Prospects

The Chandrayaan-3 mission represents India‘s continuous dedication and progress in space exploration. As space missions are inherently challenging, there will always be a degree of risk involved. However, with each mission, scientists and engineers learn valuable lessons that improve future endeavors.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission serves as a reminder of humanity’s unwavering curiosity and determination to explore the unknown. The Moon, our closest celestial neighbor, holds valuable information about the history of our solar system. By harnessing the resources on the Moon and establishing a base there, we pave the way for future space exploration beyond the Moon, including Mars.

As India embarks on its second attempt to land on the Moon, it is essential to have faith in the country’s talent and capabilities. The spirit of innovation and dedication exhibited by ISRO’s scientists has already yielded significant achievements. The successful completion of the Chandrayaan-3 mission will further strengthen India‘s role in the global scientific arena.

With countries like China making rapid strides in space exploration, it is crucial for India to continue investing in space technology and research. Increased spending in this sector not only fuels scientific progress but also has significant practical applications in various fields, contributing to the overall development and well-being of the country and its citizens.

In conclusion, the Chandrayaan-3 mission represents India‘s pursuit of scientific knowledge and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. As the spacecraft embarks on its journey to the Moon, the world eagerly awaits the outcome, knowing that the lessons learned from this mission will contribute to the advancement of science and pave the way for future lunar and interplanetary exploration.