Image from ISRO
India’s Chandrayaan mission, initiated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), marks a significant milestone in the country’s space exploration endeavors. With its ambitious lunar exploration programs, the Chandrayaan series demonstrates India’s technological prowess and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. Here is a detailed overview of the Chandrayaan missions.
Chandrayaan-1: The Pioneer
Launch Date: October 22, 2008
Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C11
Mission Objective: To conduct a detailed study of the Moon’s surface and search for water ice.
Chandrayaan-1 was India’s first lunar probe and a testament to ISRO’s technological capabilities. It was equipped with 11 scientific instruments, including the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), which successfully crash-landed on the Moon’s surface. The mission confirmed the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface, a groundbreaking discovery that reshaped lunar science. Chandrayaan-1 operated for 312 days, surpassing its intended lifespan of two years.
Key objectives:
Prepare a 3d Atlas: create a detailed 3d map of both the near and far side of the moon.
Chemical and Mineralogical Mapping: Analyze the lunar surface for its chemical composition and minerals.
Search for water ice: Investigate the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters near the lunar poles.
Spacecraft components:
Moon Impact Probe (MIP): A small Probe that was released from the orbiter and impacted the Moon’s surface.
Scientific instruments
scientific Instruments: Chandrayan-1 carried Scientific instruments
- Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC)
- HyperSpectral Imager (HYSI)
- Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3)
- Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer (CIXC)
- NEAR Infrared Spectrometer (SIR-2)
- Lunar Laser Ranging Instruments
- S300 High resolution Camera
These are a few of the many instruments that chandrayan-1 carried.
Achievements:
– Detection of water molecules on the Moon.
-Comprehensive mineralogical and chemical mapping of the lunar surface.
– Identification of key elements like magnesium, aluminum, and silicon.
Chandrayaan-2: Reaching for the South Pole
Launch Date: July 22, 2019
Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk III-M1
Mission Objective: To explore the Moon’s South Pole region and analyze its surface for water and other valuable minerals.
Chandrayaan-2 was a more ambitious mission, comprising an orbiter, a lander (Vikram), and a rover (Pragyan). While the orbiter successfully entered lunar orbit and continued to relay valuable data, the lander faced a hard landing during its descent. Despite this setback, the mission provided significant advancements in lunar research.
Population Module:
Helped carry the lander and rover to lunar orbit.
Equipped with an instrument to study Earth- like planets.
Landing and Exploration:
Landing date: August 23,2023
Landing site: Near the Moon’s south pole, a region rich in scientific potential.
Notable Contributions:
– Detailed imaging and topographic studies of the lunar surface.
– Detection of water ice and identification of hydroxyl in the South Pole region.
– Enhanced understanding of lunar exosphere dynamics.
Chandrayaan-3: Perseverance and Innovation
Launch Date: July 14, 2023
Launch Vehicle: GSLV Mk III
Mission Objective: Achieve a soft landing on the Moon and deploy a rover for surface analysis.
Learning from the challenges of Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 focused solely on a lander and rover, eliminating the orbiter component. The mission’s primary goal was to demonstrate ISRO’s capability for a precise soft landing on the lunar surface.
Vikram Lander:
Designed for a controlled landing on the lunar surface.
Equipped with sensors and cameras to identify a safe landing spot.
Carried instruments to study moonquakes, temperature, and plasma.
Rover (pragyan)
A six- wheeled solar-powered rover.
Analyzed the Moon’s surface for elements like magnesium, aluminum, and silicon.
Population Module:
Helped carry the lander and rover to lunar orbit.
Equipped with an instrument to study Earth- like planets.
Landing and exploration:
Landing date: August 23,2023
Landing site: Near the Moon’s south pole, a region rich in scientific potential.
The Vikram lander and Pragyan Rover operated successfully, transmitting data and images for several days.
Scientific instruments- chandrayaan 3 carried a total of 7 scientific instruments, distributed between the vikram Lander,Pragyan Rover, and the propulsion Module.
Instruments on the Vikram Lander (4):
1.Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (chaSTE)
– Measured Thermal properties and temperature
variations on the Moon’s surface.
2.Instruments for Lunar seismic Activity (ILSA):
– Detected seismic activity to study the Moon’s interior structure.
3.Langmuir Probe (LP):
– Measured the density and variation of plasma near the lunar surface.
4.Laser RETroreflector array (LRA):
– Provided passive measurements for future lunar laser ranging studies
Instruments on the Pragyan Rover(2):
1.Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS):
– Analyzed the elemental composition of lunar soil and rocks.
2. Laser- induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS):
– Determines the chemical and mineral composition of the Moon’s surface.
Instrument on the propulsion module (1):
1.Spectropolarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE):
-Studied Earth’s spectral and polarimetric data
to understand exoplanetary habitability.
Successes:
– Chandrayaan-3 achieved India’s first successful soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole. Demonstrated India’s advanced space engineering and innovation.
Future Prospects: Chandrayaan-4 and Beyond
Building on the success of previous missions, ISRO plans further lunar exploration with
Chandrayaan-4 and collaborative projects. These missions aim to:
– Develop advanced lunar habitats for sustained exploration.
– Collaborate internationally to deploy lunar science stations.
– Conduct deeper studies of the Moon’s geology and resources.
Conclusion
The Chandrayaan missions symbolize India’s growing ambitions in space exploration and its contribution to global scientific knowledge. Each mission has provided valuable insights into the Moon’s composition, fostering a better understanding of Earth’s closest celestial neighbor. ISRO’s journey continues to inspire generations and paves the way for even
