India’s space agency, ISRO, has achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission and second attempt at soft-landing on the Moon. The launch took place on Friday, July 14, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for India’s space program. Here are five fascinating things you should know about this remarkable rocket launch.
- A New Chapter in India’s Space Odyssey Chandrayaan-3’s launch marks a new chapter in India’s space exploration endeavors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists and described the mission as a testament to the relentless dedication, spirit, and ingenuity of India’s scientists. This achievement elevates the dreams and ambitions of every Indian and showcases India’s growing prowess in the field of space exploration.
- LVM3: ISRO’s Most Reliable Heavy-Lift Rocket The launch vehicle for Chandrayaan-3, the LVM3, has emerged as ISRO’s most reliable heavy-lift rocket. It has been instrumental in multiple successful missions and has played a crucial role in India’s space program. The success rate of the LVM3 has made it the ideal vehicle for future missions, including the ambitious Gaganyaan mission. ISRO is continually improving and enhancing the capabilities of the LVM3 to ensure the success of upcoming missions.
- A Four-Year Endeavor Chandrayaan-3 is the result of meticulous planning and preparation by ISRO over the past four years. After the setback of Chandrayaan-2’s unsuccessful soft landing in 2019, ISRO focused on analyzing the mission’s challenges, making necessary improvements, and designing an enhanced spacecraft to ensure a successful outcome. The launch of Chandrayaan-3 is a testament to ISRO’s perseverance and commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
- Trans-Lunar Insertion Phase Following the successful launch, the spacecraft will undergo multiple Earth-bound maneuvers controlled by ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC). These maneuvers will be conducted until July 31 to position the spacecraft for its journey towards the Moon. The spacecraft will enter the trans-lunar insertion phase, where it will travel towards the Moon and capture the lunar orbit approximately 5.5 days later.
- Landing on the Moon’s South Pole For the landing of Chandrayaan-3, scientists have selected a region near the south pole of the Moon. This region contains shadowed craters that are believed to potentially hold water molecules. Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar mission, confirmed the presence of water on the Moon, and this upcoming mission aims to gather further insights. If all goes according to plan, the Chandrayaan-3 lander, Vikram, is expected to touch down on the Moon’s surface around 5.47 pm on August 23, after a journey of more than 3.8 lakh kilometers.
The launch of Chandrayaan-3 represents a significant milestone for India’s space program and showcases the country’s determination to explore the Moon and expand scientific knowledge. The mission holds the promise of new discoveries and paves the way for future space exploration endeavors. As the journey unfolds, scientists and space enthusiasts eagerly await the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 and the valuable insights it will provide about our celestial neighbor.
