Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of its highly anticipated lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3. According to a senior official at ISRO, the satellite has recently arrived at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, setting the stage for an ambitious journey to the Moon. In July, Chandrayaan-3 will be integrated with India’s powerful Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III (GSLV Mk-III) before embarking on its lunar expedition.
ISRO Chairman S. Somnath expressed confidence in the upcoming launch, stating, “Chandrayaan-3 is getting ready for launch this coming July. Our target is to launch it in July, based on orbital parameters, and we are diligently working towards achieving that goal. Everything is falling into place.” Speaking after the successful GSLVF12 mission launch, Somnath added, “This time, we have taken all necessary measures to ensure a successful landing. We have addressed all potential issues through rigorous simulations. If we have any doubts, we will not proceed with the launch.”
An ISRO official revealed, “Chandrayaan-3 has arrived at Sriharikota, and we are about to begin the process of integrating it with the launch vehicle for the Moon mission.” As part of the mission, the lander will possess the capability to make a soft landing at a predetermined lunar site, where it will deploy a rover designed to perform in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface.
ISRO plans to repurpose the Orbiter from the Chandrayaan-2 mission, launched in 2018, to accompany Chandrayaan-3. Chandrayaan-2 was a remarkable mission comprising an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. By combining the lander and rover with Chandrayaan-3, ISRO aims to optimize the mission’s potential.
The lander, accompanying Chandrayaan-3, will carry Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment to measure thermal conductivity and temperature. Additionally, it will be equipped with the Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity, enabling estimation of seismic activity near the landing site. A Langmuir Probe will also be included to calculate plasma density and its variations.
The rover, on the other hand, will be equipped with the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer and the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy instrument. These instruments will enable the rover to derive the elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site.
With Chandrayaan-3, ISRO aims to further expand our understanding of the Moon and its composition. The mission represents a significant milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors, and the diligent preparations being undertaken inspire confidence in the upcoming launch. The scientific community eagerly awaits the invaluable data and insights that Chandrayaan-3 is poised to deliver, propelling us further into the realms of lunar exploration.
