July 14 at 2.35 pm Indian Standard Time Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is planning to launch Chandrayaan-3 mission to the Moon aboard the launch vehicle Mark 3 from Sriharikota. Chandrayaan-3 is largely a replica of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, which was launched in July 2019 In the form of an orbiter and a lander (‘Vikram’) with a rover (‘Pragyan’). While the orbiter entered orbit around the Moon, the surface mission failed in September when the lander crashed instead of in a slow descent. ISRO later identified a problem in the guidance software and unexpected spalls in the propulsion system during certain stages of descent. In Chandrayaan-3, the rocket will place the payload in an elliptical orbit around the Earth, where a propulsion module will take over and propel the lander into a circular orbit around the Moon. Finally, the lander will separate and begin a series of maneuvers that will culminate in a gradual landing on the surface (on August 23-24 this year). To improve its chances of success at this stage, ISRO has strengthened the lander’s legs, reduced its minimum thrust, increased power availability and upgraded the landing sequence.
This will be India’s second attempt to soft-land the lander and rover on the lunar surface and demonstrate end-to-end capability in related technologies. Soft-landing on the Moon is a complex exercise and the potential for failure exists, even if it is low – good reason to focus on the consequences of complete success. The mission will run in the backdrop of India’s decision to join the Artemis accords; In this group, if the mission is successful, the country will be the second country to soft-land on the Moon. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated: Public and private Moon-landing missions are underway around the world as the establishment of permanent bases on the natural satellite has emerged as a major geopolitical goal. The agreements define a US-led axis while China and Russia are working on an ‘International Lunar Research Station’. Chandrayaan-3’s success will also make it the closest surface mission to the Moon’s south pole, a region of the Moon that has been found to be geologically unique and hosts places in permanent shadow. To study these and other features, the mission carries six scientific payloads. The seventh instrument, on the propulsion module, will profile signs of life on Earth to help scientists look for similar signs on planets beyond the Solar System. Overall, Chandrayaan-3 provides India with an opportunity to lead the world’s response to the growing importance of the Moon in the scientific and political environment.