Chandrayaan-3, the third lunar exploration mission by India, was successfully launched on July 14, 2023. It serves as a continuation of the unsuccessful Chandrayaan-2 mission, where the Vikram lander crashed into the lunar surface in 2019. The journey to the moon is estimated to take approximately 42 days. The United States has expressed interest in benefiting from this mission. Additionally, this is the initial mission of a potential series of six moon landings. The planned landing attempt is scheduled for August 23, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his best wishes before the launch, emphasizing that the mission marks a new milestone in India's space exploration endeavors.
| Specifications | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) |
| Launch Mass | 3900 kg |
| Payload Mass | Propulsion Module: 2148 kg |
| Lander Module (Vikram): 1752 kg, including Rover (Pragyan) of 26 kg | |
| Power | Propulsion Module: 758 W |
| Lander Module: 738 W, WS with Bias | |
| Rover: 50 W | |
| Mission Type | Lunar lander, rover, Propulsion Module |
| Launch Date | 12 July 2023 (planned) |
| Rocket | Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM 3) |
| Launch Site | Satish Dhawan Space Centre |
| Mission Profile | The rocket will place Chandrayaan-3 into an approximately 170 x 36,500 km elliptic parking orbit |
| Launcher | GSLV-Mk3 |
| Mission Objectives | The mission aims to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface |
| Technologies | The spacecraft carries a range of technologies such as laser and RF |
| Modules | The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft consists of three modules - the lander module, a propulsion module, and a rover module |
Advanced technologies present in the Lander
The lander of Chandrayaan-3, a successor to Chandrayaan-2, incorporates advanced technologies to fulfill the mission objectives. These technologies include laser and RF-based altimeters for altitude measurement, laser Doppler velocimeter and a camera to determine the lander's horizontal velocity, and a laser gyro-based inertial referencing system along with an accelerometer package for precise measurement and navigation. The lander is designed to achieve a soft landing at a predetermined lunar site and deploy the rover, which will conduct in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface while traversing the terrain. Both the lander and rover carry scientific payloads to perform experiments on the lunar surface. Unlike the Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander, the Chandrayaan-3 lander will be equipped with four throttle-able engines, with each engine capable of adjusting its thrust, as opposed to the five engines of 800 Newtons used in Vikram, with an additional centrally mounted fixed engine.
Scientific payloads on the propulsion module
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), comprises three components: an indigenous Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM), and a Rover. Its primary objective is to develop and demonstrate new technologies necessary for interplanetary missions. The PM's primary role is to transport the LM from the launch vehicle injection phase to the final lunar 100 km circular polar orbit before separating from the LM. The chosen launcher for Chandrayaan-3 is GSLV-Mk3, which will position the integrated module in an Elliptic Parking Orbit (EPO) with dimensions of approximately 170 x 36,500 km. The PM includes a scientific payload called Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE), designed to analyze the spectral and polarimetric characteristics of the lunar surface. The total payload mass of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is around 3,895 kilograms, encompassing various technologies like laser and RF. Both the lander and the rover are equipped with scientific payloads to conduct experiments on the lunar surface.
How do the laser and RF Altimeters Work?
The lander of Chandrayaan-3 incorporates laser and RF-based altimeters to achieve precise altitude measurements. Here's how these altimeters function:
Laser Altimeter: The laser altimeter emits a laser beam towards the moon's surface and measures the time it takes for the beam to reflect back to the altimeter. By calculating the duration of the laser beam's round trip, the distance between the lander and the lunar surface can be determined.
RF-based Altimeter: The RF-based altimeter operates by emitting radio waves towards the lunar surface and recording the time it takes for the waves to bounce back to the altimeter. This time measurement enables the calculation of the distance between the lander and the lunar surface.
Both the laser and RF-based altimeters are utilized together to obtain more precise and accurate altitude measurements of the lander in relation to the lunar surface.
Objectives of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is a continuation of Chandrayaan-2 and aims to showcase ISRO's capability in achieving a safe landing and exploration on the lunar surface. The primary objective is to successfully perform a soft landing on the Moon, enabling the conduction of chemical analysis and the discovery of new technologies. The lander and rover of Chandrayaan-3 carry significant scientific payloads to gather essential data. Advanced technologies, including laser and RF systems, are integrated into the lander to support the mission objectives. The propulsion module plays a crucial role by transporting the lander and rover configuration to the final lunar orbit, while also featuring the scientific payload called Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) to study Earth's spectral and polarimetric measurements from the lunar orbit.
Timeline for the Chandrayaan-3 Mission
The anticipated timeline for the Chandrayaan-3 mission is outlined as follows:
Launch: The spacecraft is slated to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 PM IST.
Injection into Lunar Orbit: Following the launch, the spacecraft will be maneuvered into a 100 km circular polar orbit around the Moon.
Soft Landing: The intended landing site for the lander and rover is in the vicinity of the lunar south pole region, with the anticipated landing date set for August 23, 2023.
Mission Operations: Once the lander and rover have safely touched down, they will commence their operations on the lunar surface, engaging in activities such as chemical analysis and data collection.
