Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, which was India's first mission to soft-land on the Moon. Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander lost contact with ground control during its descent to the lunar surface in September 2019.
Chandrayaan-3 is designed to achieve a soft landing on the Moon's South Pole. The mission will carry a lander and a rover. The lander will be equipped with a robotic arm to deploy the rover. The rover will be used to explore the lunar surface and collect samples.
The mission's primary scientific objectives are to:
- Study the geology and mineralogy of the lunar South Pole
- Search for water ice in the lunar polar region
- Study the lunar atmosphere and dust environment
- Conduct a technology demonstration of a soft landing on the Moon
Chandrayaan-3 is a significant milestone in India's space program. The mission will demonstrate India's capabilities in space exploration and provide valuable scientific data about the Moon.
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft
The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is composed of three modules: a propulsion module, a lander module, and a rover module. The propulsion module is responsible for launching the spacecraft and providing it with in-flight propulsion. The lander module is responsible for landing the spacecraft on the Moon. The rover module will be used to explore the lunar surface and collect samples.
The propulsion module is the largest and heaviest module of the spacecraft. It is powered by a liquid-fueled engine that can produce up to 280 kilonewtons of thrust. The lander module is the second-largest module of the spacecraft. It is equipped with four legs that will help it to land safely on the Moon. The rover module is the smallest and lightest module of the spacecraft. It is equipped with six wheels that will allow it to move around the lunar surface.
The Chandrayaan-3 launch
The Chandrayaan-3 launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch vehicle will be the GSLV Mk III heavy-lift launch vehicle. The GSLV Mk III is capable of launching a payload of up to 4,000 kilograms into low Earth orbit.
The launch window for Chandrayaan-3 is from July 12 to July 19, 2023. The launch will be conducted during a period of favorable lunar conditions. The Moon will be in its new phase and the Earth-Moon distance will be at its closest.
The Chandrayaan-3 landing
The Chandrayaan-3 lander is scheduled to land on the Moon on August 23 or 24, 2023. The landing site is located in the South Pole region of the Moon. The landing site was chosen because it is believed to be rich in water ice.
The lander will use a combination of radar and optical sensors to land safely on the Moon. The lander will also use a parachute to slow its descent.
The Chandrayaan-3 rover
The Chandrayaan-3 rover is scheduled to deploy from the lander on August 25, 2023. The rover will be used to explore the lunar surface and collect samples. The rover is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments, including a camera, a spectrometer, and a drill.
The rover will operate for a period of up to 14 days. It will travel a distance of up to 500 meters from the lander.
The significance of Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3 is a significant milestone in India's space program. The mission will demonstrate India's capabilities in space exploration and provide valuable scientific data about the Moon.
The mission will also help to boost India's international standing in the field of space exploration. Chandrayaan-3 is a complex and challenging mission, but India has the experience and expertise to successfully complete it.
The success of Chandrayaan-3 would be a major achievement for India and would pave the way for future lunar missions.