Milestone Achieved: Chandrayaan 3 Begins Journey to the Lunar Surface

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 2.35 PM IST on Thursday, July 14. If this mission proves successful, it will mark a significant milestone for India, placing it among a select group of countries that have achieved a soft landing on the Moon. Currently, the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China are the only nations to have accomplished this feat. However, both the US and the Soviet Union faced numerous failed attempts before achieving a successful landing, while China succeeded in its first attempt with the Chang’e-3 mission in 2013.

Chandrayaan-3 faces several critical challenges as it embarks on its journey from Earth to the Moon. The spacecraft has successfully launched into Earth’s orbit and is now en route to its lunar destination. It must undergo a series of earth-bound maneuvers, insertion into the lunar orbit, separation of the lander, a set of deboost maneuvers, and a power descent phase for a soft landing. P. Veeramuthuvel, the project director of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, has emphasized the importance of these events in ensuring the mission’s success.

To propel the Chandrayaan-3 mission into space, ISRO is utilizing its most powerful rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM-3). This launch vehicle is equipped with two S2000 solid rocket boosters that generate the necessary thrust for liftoff. Once the solid boosters separate from the launch vehicle, the L110 liquid stage takes over. Finally, the CE25 cryogenic stage propels the vehicle further towards its destination. The integration of these stages ensures a smooth and efficient journey for Chandrayaan-3.

The launch of ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) M4 rocket carrying the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was a momentous event. It symbolizes India’s determination to advance its space exploration capabilities and join the ranks of nations that have successfully landed on the Moon. The mission represents a significant scientific endeavor, aiming to gather valuable data and insights about Earth’s celestial neighbor.

With Chandrayaan-3, India aims to continue its exploration of the lunar surface and expand its understanding of the Moon’s composition, geology, and resources. By studying the Moon’s south polar region, where water ice is suspected to be present in permanently shadowed craters, scientists hope to unravel the mysteries of the Moon’s formation and its potential as a resource for future space missions.

The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 is a testament to India’s growing space program and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. It signifies the nation’s dedication to harnessing space technology for the benefit of humanity and furthering our understanding of the universe.

As the Chandrayaan-3 mission progresses, scientists and engineers at ISRO will closely monitor and navigate the spacecraft through its various phases. The data collected during the mission will contribute to ongoing scientific research and shape future lunar exploration initiatives.

The successful launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation marks a significant milestone for India’s space program. If the mission achieves a soft landing on the Moon, India will join the exclusive group of nations that have accomplished this feat. Through this mission, India aims to expand its knowledge of the Moon and contribute to humanity’s understanding of our celestial neighbor. The launch of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft symbolizes India’s commitment to space exploration and its dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.