Chandrayaan-3 Succesfully Launched:
As India gears up for the highly anticipated Chandrayaan-3 mission, the scientific community is on the edge of their seats, awaiting the successful continuation of India's lunar exploration journey. In this blog post, we will delver into the evolution of the Chandrayaan programme, the previous missions' achievements, and the goals of Chandrayaan-3.
The Birth of Chandrayaan Programme
The Chandrayaan programme was first conceptualized by the Indian government and was officially announced by the late Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on August 15, 2003. Inspired by the vision to explore the moon, India embarked on a journey that would reshape its presence in the global space exploration landscape.
Chandrayaan-1: India's Maiden Lunar Mission
The maiden mission of the Chandrayaan programme took place on October 22, 2008, with the launch of Chandrayaan-1. Onboard the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) trusted PSLV-C 11 rocket, Chandrayaan-1 carried 11 scientific instruments developed collaboratively by India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Bulgaria.
The primary objectives of Chandrayaan-1 were chemical, mineralogical, and photo-geologic mapping of the moon's surface. The spacecraft successfully orbited the moon at a height of 100 km, exceeding expectations. However, communication with Chandrayaan-1 was lost on August 29, 2009, after more than 3,400 orbits around the moon.
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| Chandrayaan-3 Testing : ISRO |
Chandrayaan-2: A Bold Leap Forward
Building upon the success of Chandrayaan-1, ISRO conceived Chandrayaan-2 as a more ambitious mission with the goal of a soft landing on the moon's surface. Launched on July 22, 2019, Chandrayaan-2 consisted of an orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyan). The mission aimed to explore the unexplored South Pole of the moon.
Despite meticulous planning and precise execution, Chandrayaan-2 faced a setback during the descent of the lander. Communication with the lander, Vikram, was lost at an altitude of 2.1 km. India's aspirations for a soft landing were momentarily dampened, but the mission provided valuable insights into lunar topography, mineral identification, and surface composition.
Chandrayaan-3: Aiming for Success
As India sets its sights on the moon once again, Chandrayaan-3 emerges as a testament to the country's commitment to scientific exploration. This mission is specifically designed to master the challenge of a successful soft landing on the lunar surface.
Scheduled to launch in the near future, Chandrayaan-3 holds immense promise for India and the global space exploration community. With this mission, India aims to expand our understanding of the moon's origin, evolution, and the unique characteristics of its topography, seismography, and surface chemistry.
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| Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
Conclusion
The Chandrayaan programme has propelled India's presence in the global space exploration arena. From the first successful orbit of Chandrayaan-1 to the valuable insights gained from Chandrayaan-2, India's determination continues to drive its scientific achievements. With the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, India promises to make further strides in mastering the challenge of a soft landing on the lunar surface.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the Chandrayaan-3 launch as India embarks on its next chapter in lunar exploration. Follow ISRO's remarkable journey and witness the scientific community's dedication to unveil the mysteries of the moon.
