Chandrayaan 3 | Chandrayaan Mission 14 July 2023 [UPSC Notes]

India is eager to launch Chandrayaan 3 in 2022, after its fabrication was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jitendra Singh, India’s Union Minister of State for Space, wrote to parliament that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) expects to launch the spacecraft in the third quarter of this year.

ISRO had previously achieved great success with Chandrayaan 1, a lunar orbiter that carried out high-resolution remote sensing of the Moon. The mission also included a space capsule called the Moon Impact Probe, which successfully detected the existence of water vapour on the Moon. However, the Chandrayaan 2 mission ended in a crash landing, which led ISRO to initiate a third phase of the Chandrayaan program.

The Chandrayaan 3 mission will be a continuation of the previous two missions, and will focus on further exploration of the Moon. The spacecraft will include a lander and a rover, which will be used to study the lunar surface and atmosphere. ISRO is hopeful that Chandrayaan 3 will be a successful mission, and will help to advance India’s space exploration capabilities.

Chandrayaan 3 UPSC

What is Chandrayaan 3?

Chandrayaan-3 is the third lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission is designed to demonstrate India’s soft landing proficiency on a celestial body. It will consist of a rover and lander, and will communicate with Earth via the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a complex undertaking, and there are still several configurations, integration, and testing activities to be completed. However, ISRO is confident that the mission will be a success, and that it will help to further India’s capabilities in space exploration.

Background of Chandrayaan-3 Mission:

The Chandrayaan-2 mission was launched in 2019, and it successfully placed an orbiter, lander, and rover on the Moon. However, the lander Vikram crashed during its descent, and the rover Pragyaan was unable to deploy.

Also Read: Chandrayaan 3 : लैंडर को चांद पर उतारने वाला चौथा देश बन सकता है भारत

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is being undertaken to demonstrate India’s ability to soft land on the Moon, and to pave the way for future lunar missions. The mission is also being conducted in collaboration with Japan, which will provide a rover and launcher.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is scheduled to launch in 2023, and it is expected to land on the Moon in 2024. The mission will be a significant milestone for India’s space program, and it will help to further India’s position as a leading spacefaring nation.

Chandrayaan 3: India’s Mission to Explore the Dark Side of the Moon

Chandrayaan 3 is India’s third lunar exploration mission. It will consist of a rover and lander, but will not include an orbiter like Chandrayaan 2. The mission aims to explore the Moon’s surface, especially areas that have not been receiving sunlight in billions of years.

Scientists and astronomers believe that these darker parts of the lunar surface may contain ice and abundant mineral resources. In addition to studying the surface, Chandrayaan-3 upsc will also explore the Moon’s subsurface and exosphere.

The rover will communicate with Earth via an orbiter from Chandrayaan 2. It will study the surface by taking images at a distance of 100 kilometers from the lunar orbit.

Chandrayaan 3 Lander Design

The lander of India’s spacecraft will be powered by four throttle-able engines and equipped with a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). The engines will allow the lander to make precise adjustments to its descent trajectory, while the LDV will provide accurate measurements of the lander’s velocity and position. This combination of features will help to ensure a safe and successful soft landing on the lunar surface.

The lander will also be equipped with a variety of other sensors, including altimeters, accelerometers, and star trackers. These sensors will help the lander to navigate its way to the landing site and to maintain its orientation during descent.

The Chandrayaan 3 lander is a critical component of the mission, and its design has been carefully optimized to ensure a safe and successful landing. The combination of throttle-able engines and the LDV will provide the lander with the precision and accuracy it needs to touch down on the lunar surface with confidence.

Importance of Exploring the Moon for Scientists

  • The Moon is the closest celestial body to Earth, making it an ideal place to test space technologies for future missions.
  • The Moon is also a promising cosmic body to explore, as it can help us better understand extraterrestrial environments.
  • Exploring the Moon can help advance technologies, inspire future scientists, and promote international cooperation.
  • The Moon is a key to understanding the history of the solar system and the early Earth.

Reasons to Target the Moon’s South Pole with Chandrayaan 3 Space Mission

  • The Moon’s southern pole contains larger shadowed areas than the northern pole, which may contain a permanent source of water.
  • The craters in the southern pole may also contain fossil records of the early planetary system.
  • Exploring the Moon’s south pole can help us better understand the Moon’s history and geology, as well as the history of the solar system.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown have had a significant impact on the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Several scientific projects, including Chandrayaan 3 and Gaganyaan, India’s first manned space mission, have been delayed. However, the spacecraft for Chandrayaan 3 is now ready to travel to the Moon at the end of 2022.

This information is important for UPSC exam aspirants, as it will be a key topic in the General Studies paper. Candidates should also keep an eye on other essential current affairs to amp up their IAS preparation.

Here are some additional details that UPSC aspirants should know:

  • The Gaganyaan mission is scheduled to launch in 2024.
  • The spacecraft will carry three astronauts into low Earth orbit.
  • The mission will last for seven days.
  • The astronauts will conduct a variety of experiments during their time in space.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. When will Chandrayaan 3 launch?

    Chandrayaan 3 is scheduled to launch on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 PM IST. The launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.

  2. What is Chandrayaan 3?

    Chandrayaan 3 is India’s third lunar mission. It is a follow-up to the Chandrayaan 2 mission, which successfully orbited the moon in 2019. Chandrayaan 3 will attempt to soft-land a lander and rover on the lunar surface. The mission’s goal is to study the moon’s surface and to collect data about its geology and history.

  3. When did ISRO launch Chandrayaan 3?

    ISRO launched Chandrayaan 3 on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 PM IST. The launch was a success, and the lander and rover are currently on their way to the moon.

  4. Did Akshay Kumar donate for Chandrayaan 3?

    Yes, Akshay Kumar donated ₹1 crore for the Chandrayaan 3 mission. He made the donation through his foundation, the Akshay Kumar Foundation.

  5. How will Chandrayaan 3 impact on the citizens?

    Chandrayaan 3 is expected to have a number of positive impacts on the citizens of India. The mission will help to improve our understanding of the moon, and it will also help to develop new technologies that can be used for other space exploration missions. Additionally, the mission is expected to boost national pride and inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology.