INDIA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the highly anticipated launch of Chandrayaan-3, India’s ambitious moon mission. As the spacecraft undergoes the final assembly of its payloads at the UR Rao Satellite Centre, excitement builds for this crucial step in India’s exploration of the lunar surface.
Chandrayaan-3 holds great scientific promise, aiming to study a range of lunar phenomena, including the thermo-physical properties of the lunar regolith, lunar seismicity, the lunar surface plasma environment, and elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site. By gathering valuable data on these aspects, ISRO hopes to deepen our understanding of the Moon and its geological processes.
With the scheduled launch set for July, the ISRO team is meticulously preparing every aspect of the mission. While an exact date has yet to be finalized, a senior official confirmed that the spacecraft could be launched in the first or second week of July. This milestone will be achieved using India’s heaviest launch vehicle, the Launch Vehicle Mark-III, also known as the GSLV Mk III. The combination of three essential systems—propulsion, lander, and rover—forms the backbone of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft.
Chandrayaan-3 serves as a follow-up to the successful Chandrayaan-2 mission, which captivated the world with its daring landing attempt on the lunar surface. This time, the primary objective is a precise landing, and ISRO has been investing considerable effort into developing new instruments, refining algorithms, and addressing potential failure modes to ensure mission success.
Several key tests have been completed, affirming the spacecraft’s readiness. The essential vibration and acoustic tests, crucial to validating the spacecraft’s resilience during launch, were accomplished earlier this year. Furthermore, the CE-20 cryogenic engine, which will power the cryogenic upper stage of the launch vehicle, passed the flight acceptance hot test, a significant milestone in the engine’s development.
In addition, the lander of Chandrayaan-3 underwent the demanding EMI/EMC test at the U R Rao Satellite Centre. This test verifies the functionality of satellite subsystems in the space environment and ensures their compatibility with expected electromagnetic levels. By completing these assessments, ISRO demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the mission’s overall integrity and success.
As the launch date approaches, ISRO’s preparations intensify. The scientific community and space enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the outcome of this ambitious lunar endeavour. Chandrayaan-3’s safe landing and roving capabilities hold the potential to unlock new discoveries and pave the way for future missions to explore the Moon more extensively.
ISRO’s pursuit of Chandrayaan-3 showcases India’s commitment to advancing space exploration and bolstering its position as a global player in the field. With each mission, ISRO pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge and propels India towards new frontiers in space exploration.
Also Read: ISRO to Make History with Back-to-Back Moon and Sun Missions in July
