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Launched on 14 July 2023, Chandrayaan-3 etched its place in history when the lander and rover touched down near the lunar south pole region on 23 August 2023 at 18:02 IST.

Facts About:

• Chandrayaan-3, part of the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan program, signifies a remarkable feat in lunar exploration.
• Comprising a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan, akin to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, this mission focuses on achieving a controlled landing and rover mobility on the lunar surface.
• With the propulsion module transporting the lander-rover configuration to lunar orbit, a powered descent by the lander was the critical phase of the operation.
• The mission encompasses a Lander and Rover configuration, propelled by LVM3 from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. The propulsion module carries the Lander and Rover until the lunar orbit's 100 km mark.

Origins and Progression: Chandrayaan-2's Influence

• Chandrayaan-2's launch in July 2019, which featured an orbiter, lander, and rover, set the stage for Chandrayaan-3.
• While the initial lander's trajectory went awry during a landing attempt in September 2019, ISRO's spirit remained unbroken, leading to the conception of Chandrayaan-3 and other future lunar missions.

Global Collaboration: ESA's Involvement

• The European Space Tracking network (ESTRACK), operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), provided support for the mission.
• A mutual support agreement emerged, where ESA's tracking assistance for ISRO missions, including Gaganyaan (India's human spaceflight program) and the Aditya-L1 solar research mission, was reciprocated by ISRO's support for future ESA missions.
• This collaboration underlines the global nature of space exploration.

Mission Aims

• ISRO laid out three primary objectives for Chandrayaan-3:

1. Achieve a safe and soft lunar landing.
2. Demonstrate the rover's mobility capabilities.
3. Conduct experiments on lunar surface materials to enhance understanding of lunar composition.

Spacecraft Configuration

Propulsion Module

• Carries the lander-rover to a 100 km lunar orbit.
• Features a solar panel and mounting structure for the lander.

Lander (Vikram)

• Executes the soft landing on the Moon.
• It had four landing legs and four landing thrusters capable of producing 800 newtons of thrust each
• Accommodates the rover and scientific instruments.

Rover (Pragyan)

• A six-wheeled, 26 kg vehicle.
• Conducts diverse measurements, contributing to lunar research.
• Investigates lunar surface composition, presence of water ice, lunar impact history, and atmosphere evolution.

Payloads

Lander Payloads

Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE)

• Objective: Measure thermal conductivity and temperature of the lunar surface.
• Information gleaned aids in comprehending lunar surface properties near polar regions.

Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA)

• Objective: Measure seismic activity around the landing site, revealing the lunar crust and mantle's structure.

Langmuir Probe (LP)

• Objective: Estimate plasma density variations in the vicinity of the landing site.
• Langmuir probe plays a crucial role in studying ionosphere and atmospheric phenomena.

Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA)

• Objective: Passive experiment for lunar laser ranging studies.
• LRA aids in comprehending the dynamics of the Moon system.

Additional Payload: Collaboration with NASA

• Passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA contributes to lunar laser ranging studies.

Rover Payloads

Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS)

• Objective: Determine elemental composition (e.g., Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, Fe) of lunar soil and rocks around the landing site.
• APXS provides insights into the chemical makeup of lunar materials.

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS)

• Objective: Conduct qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis.
• LIBS aids in deciphering chemical and mineralogical composition for a deeper understanding of the lunar surface.

Propulsion Module Payload

Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE)

• Objective: To make future discoveries of smaller planets through reflected light, potentially identifying habitable exoplanets.
• SHAPE payload enhances India's contribution to the study of exoplanets.

Mission Progress

The mission progressed through several stages, including launch, Earth and lunar orbit maneuvers, and descent. Notable milestones include:

• Launch on 14 July 2023.
• Lunar orbit insertion on 5 August 2023.
• Lander separation from the propulsion module on 17 August 2023.
• Successful soft landing on 23 August 2023, making India the fourth nation to land on the Moon.

Technological Innovations

• Advanced Altimeters: Laser and RF-based altimeters for precise altitude measurements.
• Velocimeters: Laser Doppler Velocimeter and Lander Horizontal Velocity Camera for speed monitoring.
• Inertial Measurement: Laser Gyro-based Inertial referencing and Accelerometer package for navigation.
• Navigation, Guidance & Control (NGC): Software elements for powered descent trajectory design.
• Hazard Detection and Avoidance: Lander Hazard Detection & Avoidance Camera and Processing Algorithm.
• Landing Leg Mechanism: Enhanced landing leg design for secure touchdown.

Mission Life

• Propulsion Module: Carried lander and rover to lunar orbit, with operation of experimental payload for up to 6 months.
• Lander Module: 1 Lunar Day (14 Earth Days).
• Rover Module: 1 Lunar Day (14 Earth Days).

Key Team Members and Funding:

• ISRO Chairperson: Somanath.
• Mission Director: Mohanakumar.
• Associate Mission Director: Narayanan.
• Project Director: Veeramuthuvel.
• Deputy Project Director: K.
• Vehicle Director: Biju C. Thomas.
• Estimated cost: Around ?615 crore.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-chandrayaan-3-vikram-lander-touch-down-live-updates/article67219323.ece