India's ambitious lunar mission Chandrayaan-3, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), marked a major milestone in the country’s space exploration journey. As the third lunar exploration mission following Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, it focused specifically on achieving a soft landing on the Moon's surface. This mission not only displayed India's technological prowess but also solidified its position in the global space community.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission was designed with clear and focused objectives, especially after the partial success of Chandrayaan-2. Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-3 did not carry an orbiter, as the orbiter from Chandrayaan-2 is still functional and providing valuable data.
Demonstrate a Soft Landing on the Lunar Surface
The foremost goal was to safely land a lander on the Moon, especially near the south polar region — an area yet to be fully explored by any country.
Deploy and Operate a Rover on the Lunar Surface
Another key objective was to successfully deploy a rover (Pragyan) from the lander (Vikram) and enable it to move on the surface to conduct experiments.
Conduct In-situ Scientific Experiments
Chandrayaan-3 aimed to carry out on-site analysis of the lunar soil, surface composition, and thermal properties using its onboard payloads.
Enhance ISRO's Capabilities
The mission aimed to test and validate the indigenous technologies developed for future interplanetary missions.
Improve Navigation and Guidance Systems
Refining autonomous navigation, guidance, and control systems for soft landings was another goal of this mission.
Chandrayaan-3 achieved several historic milestones that elevated India’s global standing in space technology.
On August 23, 2023, Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander successfully touched down near the Moon's south pole.
With this, India became the first country to land near the lunar south pole and the fourth overall (after the USA, Russia, and China) to achieve a soft lunar landing.
The Pragyan rover was successfully deployed from Vikram and roamed the lunar surface.
It traveled around 100 meters, sending back critical data and images to ISRO’s ground stations.
The lander and rover conducted experiments using onboard payloads:
ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) measured temperature variations.
ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity) studied seismic activity on the Moon.
Rambha-LP (Langmuir Probe) analyzed the lunar plasma environment.
LIBS and APXS (on Pragyan) studied the elemental composition of the lunar soil, identifying sulphur, aluminum, calcium, and iron.
The data from Chandrayaan-3 provided valuable insights into the southern lunar region, crucial for future lunar missions and possible human settlements.
It contributed to the global scientific community’s understanding of the Moon’s geology and environment.
Chandrayaan-3 was developed with a budget of approximately ₹615 crore (~$75 million), making it one of the most cost-effective lunar missions in the world.
It demonstrated how advanced space missions can be achieved with limited resources, showcasing India's engineering talent and frugal innovation.
The mission received worldwide appreciation, with space agencies like NASA, ESA, and JAXA congratulating ISRO.
It paved the way for potential collaborations in deep space missions, including India's participation in the Artemis Accords.
Chandrayaan-3 is not just a technological triumph but also a symbol of India’s scientific aspirations and determination. By achieving a soft landing near the Moon's south pole, deploying a functional rover, and conducting valuable scientific experiments, ISRO has proven its capabilities on the global stage. The mission is a launchpad for future explorations, including India's planned Gaganyaan (human spaceflight) and interplanetary missions to Mars and beyond.
Chandrayaan-3 has inspired a generation of scientists and citizens alike, emphasizing that India's space journey has only just begun.