Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission that aims to achieve a soft landing near the south pole of the Moon.
Chandrayaan-3 was launched on 7 August 2023 and entered lunar orbit on 12 August 2023. The lander module, named Vikram, separated from the propulsion module on 19 August 2023 and is expected to land on the lunar surface on 23 August 2023. The lander carries a rover, named Pragyaan, that will explore the lunar terrain and conduct scientific experiments. The mission has been successful so far and has sent back some images of the Moon. You can watch the live coverage of the landing on multiple platforms on 23 August 2023.
What are the scientific objectives of Chandrayaan-3?
The scientific objectives of Chandrayaan-3 are to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the surface of the moon, to demonstrate rover operations on the moon, and to conduct in-situ scientific experiments on the lunar surface. The lander module carries four scientific payloads that will study the lunar ionosphere, surface temperature, seismic activity, and laser reflectivity. The rover module carries two scientific payloads that will analyze the lunar soil using X-ray and laser spectroscopy. The propulsion module also carries a payload that will observe the Earth’s atmosphere using spectro-polarimetry.
How long will Pragyaan operate on the Moon?
Pragyaan is the name of the rover that will be deployed by the Vikram lander on the Moon. It has a mission life of one lunar day, which is approximately equal to 14 Earth days. During this period, it will try to fulfill its scientific objectives of analyzing the lunar soil and rocks using X-ray and laser spectroscopy.
What are some challenges of landing near the south pole of the moon?
Chandrayaan Landing near the south pole of the moon is a challenging feat that has not been achieved by any country so far. Some of the challenges are:
Lack of atmosphere: The moon has no atmosphere to slow down the lander, so it has to rely on thrusters to decelerate and control its descent. This requires precise timing and navigation, and any error or glitch can result in a crash landing.
Varied terrain: The lunar surface near the south pole is rugged and uneven, with craters, rocks, and slopes that can pose obstacles and hazards for the lander. The sensors and software of the lander have to adapt to these changes and avoid landing in unsafe areas.
Lunar dust: The force of the thrusters can stir up lunar dust during the final descent, which can interfere with the sensors, cameras, and components of the lander. Dust can also obscure the vision and damage the instruments of the rover after landing.
Extreme cold: The south pole of the moon experiences very low temperatures, as low as -230 degrees Celsius, which can affect the operation of electronic instruments and batteries. The lander and rover have to survive these harsh conditions for their mission life.
These are some of the major challenges that Chandrayaan-3 will face in its historic attempt to land near the south pole of the moon.
