Chandrayaan-3 is India’s moon mission with a Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan) configuration. It will showcase safe landing and mobility on the lunar surface. The propulsion module will transport them to a lunar orbit of 100 km. A payload, the spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) will study Earth’s spectral and Polari metric measurements from the lunar orbit.
This mission is a follow up of 22 July, 2019 project Chandrayaan-2, which failed to achieve the desired soft landing. Chandrayaan 3 moon landing date is 23 August 2023 17:47 IST.
India’s spacecraft consists of three modules: the propulsion, lander, and rover. It aims to demonstrate technologies for interplanetary missions. The propulsion system transports the lander module to the point of separation, while the lander and rover will operate experimental payloads in a lunar orbit for up to six months. The propulsion module will remain in the Moon’s orbit as a communication hub. Check out this brochure by ISRO.
Vikram Lander:
The lander and rover of Chandrayaan-2’s mission were named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai. The lander’s primary function is to operate for one lunar day i.e., 14 Earth days with sensors for a secure landing. It has 738 W power from side-mounted solar panels and will explore the lunar south pole.
Pragyan Rover:
The robotic vehicle exploring the Moon is called ‘Pragyan’, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘wisdom’. With six wheels and specialized instruments, it will collect information about the lunar surface and atmosphere, including data on elemental composition. Weighing 26 kgs and with a mission life of one lunar day (14 Earth days), Pragyan is an important tool for scientific research.
Chandrayaan-3 Budget:
The budget allocated is around ₹615 crore. ISRO Chairman K Sivan addressed media on January 2020, and he quoted that the land rover and propulsion module would cost around Rs 250 crore, and another Rs 365 crore for the launch service.
Chandrayaan 3 failure or success:
The landing date is 23 August 2023 17:47 IST. We can only say once it lands on the surface. But don’t worry, even if a few sensors and two of its engines fail, it will do a safe touchdown. ISRO Chairman S. Somnath has revealed the failsafe design of the lander.
Chandrayaan 3 project director:
Veeramuthuvel, who is 46 years old, currently serves as the project director of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, working under the leadership of Somanath. He comes from a modest family in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district and holds a Ph.D. Veeramuthuvel is also a proud alumnus of the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
Chandrayaan 3 launch date, time and place:
Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission, was successfully launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
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