Chandrayaan 3 Mission: Great Journey of Exploration & Discovery

Have you ever wondered what secrets the Moon holds? Prepare to embark on an extraordinary adventure as we delve into the captivating journey of the Chandrayaan mission (moon mission) till Chandrayaan 3. The awe-inspiring mission by ISRO has redefined India’s space exploration capabilities, unravelling the mysteries of our celestial neighbour. Get inspired, amazed, and motivated to reach for the stars!

India’s #Chandrayaan3 🇮🇳🚀
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How it started How it’s going pic.twitter.com/qKkG1dkvaq

— حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) July 14, 2023

Chandrayaan 3: Dreaming of Lunar Exploration

A dream to investigate the Moon and learn more about it served as the inspiration for its expedition. The ambitious concept was proposed by ISRO in 2003, which was the first step towards India’s first moon mission. The objective was to send an orbiter, a lander, and a rover in Chandrayaan-3 mission to investigate the lunar surface and conduct research.

Launching the Odyssey: chandrayaan 1 Takes Flight

Source: ISRO

They were there on the chandrayaan 1 launch date on October 22, 2008, the moment the spacecraft was successfully launched into orbit. The mission’s objectives included making a detailed 3D map of the Moon, analysing its mineral makeup, and looking for signs of water molecules. With the successful launch, India joined the select group of countries with the ability to explore the moon.

Mapping the Moon: Discovering Lunar Secrets in Chandrayaan 3

Modern instrumentation was installed before its setting off towards the moon. Its finding of water molecules on the Moon’s surface, which disproved the conventional wisdom that the Moon was a dry celestial body, was one of its significant achievements. The mission also shed light on the terrain, mineral distribution, and presence of helium-3, which could be used as fuel for upcoming space flights.

From Setback to Resilience: Chandrayaan 2’s Inspiring Comeback

With Chandrayaan 2, ISRO has its eyes set on an even more challenging mission for chandrayaan 2 launch date of 2019. India wanted to become the fourth country to complete a soft landing on the moon by sending a rover there.

Source: ISRO

The mission, however, ran into trouble during the landing phase. Despite the setback, the nation rallied around ISRO and praised its heroic efforts, displaying a resilient mentality.

Chandrayaan 2 mission was launched by which vehicle?

Using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III), the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)’s ambitious Chandrayaan 2 lunar mission was launched into space. India’s most potent launch vehicle is the GSLV Mk III, often known as the “Bahubali” or “fat boy” due to its astounding size and payload capability.

Three stages make up the GSLV Mk III: the cryogenic upper stage (C25), the liquid core stage (L110), and the solid rocket booster (S200). The first stage, the S200, is the biggest solid fuel booster ever created in India. To launch the rocket off the launch pad, it supplies the initial thrust. It is discarded after its fuel runs out.

The L110 stage assumes control once the S200 stage separates. It is propelled by two Vikas engines, each using nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) as an oxidiser and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as a fuel. The L110 stage keeps the rocket moving until it reaches the outer edge of the atmosphere.

The Vikram Lander: Paving the Way for Future Missions

Even though the lander, Vikram, failed to make a soft landing, it nevertheless represented a critical turning point in India’s ascent to space exploration. The lander’s descent supplied crucial engineering information and laid the path for upcoming missions, igniting the desire to keep expanding the frontiers of scientific inquiry.

Inspiring the Future: Chandrayaan’s Legacy

Indian space exploration has never been the same since the missions. Countless young people have been motivated by them to seek professions in STEM fields. The missions have also promoted global cooperation, with ISRO collaborating with different space organisations worldwide to share information, skills, and resources.

Chandrayaan-3: The Saga Continues

Despite the difficulties encountered during Chandrayaan 2, ISRO is preparing for chandrayaan 3, the upcoming moon mission. The mission’s primary goal is to deploy the rover and perform a successful soft landing to increase our knowledge of the Moon’s geology, resource potential, and possibility for human habitation. The unrelenting spirit of exploration that propels ISRO to aim for the stars is embodied by chandrayaan-3.

Also Read: Chandrayaan-3 India’s Lunar Ambitions Launch on July 14, 2023

Timeline of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation):

1962: Formation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), chaired by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, which laid the foundation for space research and exploration in India.

1963: INCOSPAR launches its first sounding rocket, a Nike Apache, from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in Thumba, Kerala.

1965: The first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, is launched on April 19, using a Soviet launch vehicle. It was India’s first step into space and conducted experiments in X-ray astronomy, solar physics, and aeronomy.

1972: INCOSPAR is restructured and renamed as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai as its first chairman.

1975: ISRO launches its first satellite built in India, the Aryabhata, using an Indian launch vehicle, SLV-3 (Satellite Launch Vehicle-3). This marked India’s entry into the club of spacefaring nations capable of launching their own satellites.

1980: ISRO successfully launches the Rohini satellite, becoming the 11th country in the world to send a satellite into orbit using an indigenously developed launch vehicle.

1984: The first developmental flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) takes place. PSLV later becomes ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle for both Indian and international satellite launches.

1990: ISRO launches the first operational remote sensing satellite, IRS-1A (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite-1A), marking the beginning of India’s capability to monitor Earth’s resources from space.

2008: Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar mission, is launched. It carries various payloads, including an instrument developed by NASA, and confirms the presence of water molecules on the Moon’s surface.

2013: ISRO successfully launches the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan. India becomes the first Asian country and the fourth in the world to reach Mars, achieving it on its maiden attempt.

2014: The Mars Orbiter Mission enters the Martian orbit, making India the first country to succeed in its first attempt to reach Mars.

2016: ISRO successfully launches the Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), a prototype of a future fully reusable space vehicle.

2019: Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar mission, is launched. Although the lander Vikram experienced a hard landing, the orbiter continues to function and provides valuable data about the Moon.

2020: ISRO successfully launches the Solar Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, which aims to study the Sun’s corona and solar emissions.

2021: The first unmanned test flight of the Gaganyaan, India’s ambitious human spaceflight program, is planned for the end of the year.

2022: ISRO announces plans for the Venus mission, Shukrayaan-1, which aims to study the atmosphere and surface of Venus.

2023: In 2023, ISRO carried the dream of a 1.4 billion population to the moon & launched the Chandrayaan-3 on July 14, 2023.

This timeline highlights some of the significant milestones and achievements in ISRO’s history. The organization continues to work towards advancing India’s space capabilities and contributing to scientific research and exploration.

Conclusion

India’s space program has reached new heights thanks to the Chandrayaan missions (Moon mission), which have won over the world with their groundbreaking scientific discoveries and unwavering spirit. It has paved the way for further lunar adventures, from studying the Moon’s surface to making a remarkable comeback after a setback. The journey of Chandrayan 3 stands as a monument to the strength of human curiosity and the unrelenting pursuit of scientific discovery as ISRO continues its search for knowledge.