Chandrayaan-3: Milestone in India’s Lunar Exploration and Space Tourism

In India, we refer to the Earth as our mother and the Moon as our ‘Mama’ (maternal uncle). Mostly, Mama is one of the favorite family members of all the children as he always pampers the kids. Chanda Mama – the moon is most loved in childhood poems, folk songs for children, etc. which creates fondness for the moon in the mind of almost every Indian child. 

The Indian children always wished to meet their favorite “Chanda Mama”, but were always disappointed as it seemed to be an impossible task until yesterday. Now a day will come when children will say, “Chanda Mama is just a ‘tour’ away,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the successful Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing. 

What is Chandrayaan-3?

The mission consists of two main components: Vikram Lander (a spacecraft) and Pragyan (a small vehicle). The Vikram and Pragyan landers are designed and built by scientists and engineers using cutting-edge technology.

The Vikram lander will be programmed to land gently on the Moon. Once the lander is safely on the Moon, the Pragyan rover will emerge and begin its mission.

The Pragyan rover will be a small vehicle that will move around on the Moon and collect valuable information. The mission will be operated by a team of scientists and engineers. This mission is part of India’s growing space exploration capabilities and its dedication to furthering scientific knowledge of our celestial neighbor – the Moon.

History of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft

The mission aims to fix the problem of landing by focusing only on the land module, without the use of an orbiter or a rover. The Chandrayaan-3 history reflects India’s resolve to overcome obstacles, improve its space capabilities and contribute to moon exploration through thorough analysis of past missions’ experiences and results.

Phases of Chandrayaan-3 Moon Landing

• Chandrayaan-3 Pre-launch Preparation: Scientists and engineers at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) worked together to develop Vikram-3 and Pragyan-3, which were improved versions of Chandrayaan-1 and 2, respectively.
• Chandrayaan-3 Launch and Journey: The Vikram-3 lunar lander was launched into space by a powerful rocket, traveling through space toward the Moon. As it neared the Moon, the Vikram-3 separated from the other spacecraft, and began a carefully controlled descent to the Moon’s surface. This time, unlike Chandrayaan2, the focus was entirely on the landing aspect of the mission, with the aim of achieving a safe and successful landing.
• Chandrayaan-3 Landing Moment:  The Vikram lander touched down on the Moon’s surface at 6:04 PM (IST) on 23 August 2023 with caution and precision. This successful landing was a proud moment for India and its space agency, ISRO.

India celebrated this achievement with immense pride, as it demonstrated the country’s advancements in space technology. Chandrayaan-3’s phases of launch, journey, and successful landing showcased India’s commitment to lunar exploration and scientific discovery, fostering a sense of accomplishment and national unity. With this India became the first country to soft land on the South Pole of Moon.

What after Chandrayaan-3 landing?

The Pragyan rover is designed to travel autonomously and will use its specialized instruments to analyze the soil, rocks and surface composition of the Moon. The objective of this exploration is to gain essential insights into the geology, the history, and the characteristics of the Moon. 

As Pragyan rover embarks on the journey to the Moon, it leaves an indelible mark of India’s achievements. On the wheels of the Pragyan rover, a unique ISRO stamp is affixed. This stamp symbolizes the nation’s interest in space exploration and contributes to the mission’s significance. 

With the help of the exploration conducted by the Pragyan rover, humanity will gain a better understanding of the moon and its evolution. This data will be useful for future lunar missions as well as for broader scientific endeavors around the world. 

Chandrayaan-3’s accomplishments not only bring pride to the nation but also help in the global search for knowledge about our celestial neighbor, the Moon.

How is successful Chandrayaan-3 landing on the moon is a step further in Space Tourism for India?

India’s ambitious space agenda includes a number of missions that seek to further expand the country’s space capabilities. These missions are linked to the recent announcement by India’s space-based Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) of venturing into the commercial space travel industry.

The successful Chandrayaan-3 landing will demonstrate India’s commitment to space exploration as well as its remarkable ability to overcome challenges. The success of Chandrayaan-3’s landing marks an important milestone in India’s ability to ensure precise and safe landings on alien bodies, which is a key factor for the success of space tourism endeavors.

In this trajectory, Gaganyaan stands out as a symbol of India’s aspirations. The mission was launched earlier this year in March 2023 and is set to send Indian astronauts into space for the first time. Not only does Gaganyaan represent India’s technological maturity, but it also marks the country’s entry into human space flight.

By embarking on human space exploration, India is demonstrating its willingness to explore new horizons and drive innovation in aerospace technology.

India’s record of success in space exploration (Chandrayaan-3) and the promise of Gaganyaan demonstrate India’s role in defining the future of exploration and potentially opening the door to space tourism for enthusiasts and explorers.