Chandrayaan-3: India's Pioneering Lunar Mission

On July 14th, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched Chandrayaan-3, its latest mission to explore the moon. This mission marked a historic achievement for India, as the lander, Vikram, and rover, Pragyan, successfully touched down on the moon's surface on August 23rd, 2023. Chandrayaan-3 was conceived as a continuation of India's lunar exploration efforts, primarily following the partial success of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2.

Who Launched Chandrayaan-3 and the Team Behind the Mission

ISRO, under the leadership of Dr. K. Sivan and his successors, namely Shri K. Sivan and Shri Somanath, has been driving the development and execution of space missions in India. The success of Chandrayaan-3 can be attributed to the series of initiatives that have been undertaken by the organization, starting from the inception of the GS (GSLV) and PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) groups responsible for the manufacturing of rockets. The Satellite Director plays a crucial role in these projects, continually learning from previous missions such as Chandrayaan-1.

Technical Details of Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 consists of three primary components: the propellant module, the lander, Vikram, and the rover, Pragyan. The propellant module was used to carry the lander and rover configuration to lunar orbit, preparing them for a powered descent to the moon's surface. The spacecraft has undergone a series of modifications and rigorous testing at each stage, making it a state-of-the-art mission.

From launch to landing, the project involved a long process. Chandrayaan-3 launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India, at 02:35 IST on July 14th, 2023.

Key Milestones of Chandrayaan-3

The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on August 5th, 2023, and the Vikram lander made a historic touchdown on the lunar south pole on August 23rd, 2023, at 12:32. This successful landing, accomplished by ISRO, marked India as the fourth country to place a spacecraft on the moon, and the first to attempt a soft landing in the lunar south pole region.

Technical Specifications of Chandrayaan-3

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft weighs 3900 kg, with a payload mass of 3900 kg. The propulsion module weighs 2148 kg, while the lander module Vikram weighs 1726 kg. The rover, Pragyan, weighs 26 kg. The power requirements for the mission are as follows:

Propulsion Module: 758 W Lander Module (Vikram): 738 W with bias Rover (Pragyan): 50 W

Significant milestones in the mission include:

The launch date was on July 14th, 2023, at 09:05:17 IST The rocket used was the GSLV MK-III The launch site was the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India The orbit insertion date was August 5th, 2023 The orbital parameters are 153 km at 95 mi and 163 km at 101 mi The lander date was August 23rd, 2023, at 12:32

The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon signifies a significant leap in India's space exploration endeavors. The mission's technical achievements and the involvement of ISRO in its execution underline India's commitment to space research and technological advancement.