India’s Chandrayaan Missions

India’s Chandrayaan Missions

Chandrayaan-1

Launch Date & Location

• On 22nd October, 2008, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully established CHANDRAYAAN-1 in the Moon's orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota of Andhra Pradesh by the polar satellite launch vehicle PSLV-C-1.

Mission Overview

• Chandrayaan-1 was India’s first lunar mission, carrying 11 instruments to study the Moon’s surface, minerals, ice, and temperature.

• It included a Moon Impact Probe and sent back high-resolution images and chemical data.

Chandrayaan-2 Mission

Launch Details

• India’s GSLV MKIII-M1 successfully launched Chandrayaan-2 on July 22, 2019, from Sriharikota.

• The mission included an Orbiter, Lander (Vikram), and Rover to explore the Moon’s South Pole.

Orbit and Attempted Landing

• After multiple orbit-raising maneuvers, Chandrayaan-2 entered lunar orbit on August 20.

• Vikram attempted landing on September 7, but communication was lost at 2.1 km altitude.

Orbiter Success

• However, the Orbiter, equipped with the highest-resolution lunar camera (0.3 m), continues to provide valuable data.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission

Mission Focus

• Chandrayaan-3, ISRO's third lunar mission after Chandrayaan-1 and 2, focused on achieving a soft landing on the Moon.

Launch & Components

• Launched in June 2023 aboard GSLV MkIII, it included the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover.

Goal & Budget

• Aimed near the site of Chandrayaan-2’s crash-landing, the Rs 250 crore mission incorporated key improvements.

Successful Landing

• On August 23, 2023, Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon, marking a major milestone for India’s space exploration.

Final Thoughts

India’s Chandrayaan missions mark remarkable milestones in the journey of space exploration. From Chandrayaan-1's groundbreaking discovery of water molecules on the Moon to Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing, each mission reflects ISRO’s growing technological prowess and scientific ambition. These missions not only demonstrate India’s capabilities but also inspire a generation of learners and scientists to dream big.

The data collected from these lunar explorations continues to contribute to our global understanding of the Moon’s surface, minerals, and environment. Despite setbacks like Vikram’s crash in Chandrayaan-2, ISRO’s perseverance proved fruitful with Chandrayaan-3.

These achievements showcase India’s evolving role in the global space community and pave the way for future interplanetary missions.