The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of its third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, on July 14 at 2:35pm IST. This mission follows the previous Chandrayaan-2, which unfortunately faced partial failure with a crash-landing on the moon’s surface. In an effort to avoid the mistakes of its predecessor, ISRO has made several changes to the upcoming mission.
The Mission Details
Chandrayaan-3 is set to take off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch will be carried out using the Launch Vehicle Mark-III. The spacecraft will consist of a Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM), and a Rover. Unlike Chandrayaan-2, which had an Orbiter, Vikram Lander, and Pragyan Rover, Chandrayaan-3 will utilize the orbiter from the previous mission.
The primary goal of the mission is for the lander to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface. Once landed, the rover will conduct on-site chemical analysis of the moon’s surface. The mission is expected to last for one lunar day, equivalent to 14 days on Earth.
To address the issues that led to the partial failure of Chandrayaan-2, ISRO has made some significant improvements. One notable change is the inclusion of two lander hazard detection and avoidance cameras, compared to only one in Chandrayaan-2. These cameras have been designed to be more robust and reliable than their predecessor.
Additionally, ISRO has conducted tests on the lander leg mechanism of Chandrayaan-3 to ensure its strength and durability. These measures are part of ISRO’s commitment to learning from past mistakes and ensuring the success of the upcoming mission.
The launch of Chandrayaan-3 is eagerly anticipated, as it represents India’s continued efforts to explore space and expand its scientific knowledge. The mission aims to further our understanding of the moon’s surface and provide valuable data for future lunar exploration.
Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to lift off on July 14, marking ISRO’s third mission to the moon. With improvements made based on the lessons learned from the previous mission, the upcoming mission holds great promise. As India continues to make advancements in space exploration, Chandrayaan-3 represents another important step in expanding our knowledge of the universe.
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