Chandrayaan-3: A Historic Lunar Touchdown

A moment of nail-biting tension turned into jubilant cheers as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) achieved a historic feat. On August 23 at 12:33 P.M. UTC, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission’s robotic lander, named Vikram, made a triumphant touchdown on the moon’s south pole. This achievement marks India as the fourth country to achieve a successful soft lunar landing, joining the ranks of the former Soviet Union, the U.S., and China.

A Second Attempt at Lunar Success

Chandrayaan-3 was born out of ISRO’s determination to conquer lunar landing after the unfortunate crash of its Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019. Launched on July 14, this mission bore significant improvements and strategic redundancies to ensure success where its predecessor had stumbled.

Navigating the Challenges of Lunar Descent

The lunar descent of Chandrayaan-3 was a complex process that demanded precision and autonomy. Signals took around three seconds to travel from the lander to Earth and back, making real-time guidance impossible. Vikram’s task was to meticulously reduce its orbital velocity to achieve a safe trajectory for landing. This required a symphony of engine firings based on continuous data about distance, velocity, and orientation.

Engineering Redundancy for Success

Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 was equipped with an array of redundancies and safeguards. ISRO’s chief, S. Somanath, highlighted how the mission had improved on 21 subsystems, including better fuel capacity and enhanced guidance, navigation, and control systems. Rigorous ground tests ensured the lander’s resilience and capability to handle deviations from its path.

Triumph Amidst Challenges

The success of Chandrayaan-3 shines even brighter when considering recent lunar landing failures. Several attempts over the past five years had fallen short, underscoring the risks of lunar exploration. Chandrayaan-3’s victory stands in contrast to the failures of other missions, emphasizing the meticulous planning and execution that went into its design.

The Journey of Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3’s lunar descent was divided into four major phases:

1. Rough Braking: The lander’s four main engines fired, reducing its horizontal velocity by 80% as it approached its landing site.
2. Attitude Hold: Vikram stabilized using eight smaller thrusters to gain a steady view of the lunar surface.
3. Fine Braking: Using two main engines, the lander descended and hovered around 850 meters above the moon’s surface to capture images and assess its position.
4. Terminal Descent: Chandrayaan-3 lowered itself to about 150 meters above the surface and evaluated the landing area for hazards. It made a critical divert maneuver if needed.

Lessons from Past Failures

The failures of previous lunar landings, like the ispace lander’s crash, highlighted the importance of precise altimetry. Chandrayaan-3’s redundant altimeters ensured accurate height measurements, learning from past mistakes.

A Bright Future for Lunar Exploration

Chandrayaan-3’s success propels India into a collaborative era of lunar exploration. By signing the Artemis Accords, India has opened doors for partnerships with other nations like the U.S. and Japan. The next moon mission, possibly in partnership with Japan, could provide vital insights into water ice and support NASA’s Artemis program.

Conclusion

Chandrayaan-3’s historic lunar touchdown marks a significant achievement for India’s space endeavors. Overcoming challenges and learning from past failures, ISRO has proven its capabilities on the global stage. As the world focuses on the moon’s potential, Chandrayaan-3 stands as a beacon of success and a symbol of future possibilities.

FAQs

1. Is Chandrayaan-3’s landing a significant achievement? Absolutely, Chandrayaan-3’s successful lunar landing places India among a select group of countries with this achievement.
2. How did Chandrayaan-3 overcome the challenges of lunar descent? Chandrayaan-3 employed precise altimetry, redundant systems, and improved guidance to navigate the challenges of lunar descent.
3. What makes Chandrayaan-3 different from its predecessor? Chandrayaan-3 had enhanced redundancies, a better guidance system, and improved fuel capacity to ensure a successful landing.
4. What impact does Chandrayaan-3’s success have on future lunar exploration? Chandrayaan-3’s success paves the way for India to collaborate on future lunar missions and contribute to the global exploration of the moon.
5. How does Chandrayaan-3’s success align with India’s future plans? Chandrayaan-3’s triumph sets the stage for India’s participation in upcoming lunar missions, potentially in partnership with Japan and other nations.