What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota.
What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota.
Subject: Science & Technology
India's lunar exploration journey reached new heights with Chandrayaan-3, achieving what its predecessor couldn't - a successful soft landing on the Moon's South Pole, making India the fourth nation globally to accomplish this feat after the US, Russia, and China.
Main Task and Achievement
- The primary objective was to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, which couldn't be achieved during the Chandrayaan-2 mission due to technical glitches.
- The mission showcased India's technological prowess by achieving the first-ever landing on the lunar South Pole, a region of significant scientific interest.
Countries with Successful Soft Landings
- United States: Pioneer in lunar exploration through the Apollo missions.
- Russia (formerly USSR): Achieved through the Luna program.
- China: Successfully landed through the Chang'e missions.
- India: Latest entrant with Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023.
Spacecraft Subsystems
- Propulsion Module: Equipped with solar panels and thrusters for lunar transfer.
- Lander Module (Vikram): Carried scientific payloads including:
- RAMBHA: For plasma density measurements.
- ChaSTE: For thermal properties study.
- ILSA: For seismic activity monitoring.
- LRA: For precise position determination.
- Rover (Pragyan): Equipped with:
- APXS: For elemental composition analysis.
- LIBS: For chemical element investigation.
Role of Virtual Launch Control Centre
- Remote System Checkouts: Conducted comprehensive testing of the LVM3 launch vehicle.
- Electronics Verification: Ensured proper functioning of all electronic components.
- Actuator Testing: Validated the mechanical systems' responsiveness.
- Command Verification: Confirmed proper execution of pre-programmed commands.
- Real-time Monitoring: Provided continuous oversight during the launch sequence.
The successful execution of Chandrayaan-3 demonstrates India's growing capabilities in space technology and positions the nation as a key player in lunar exploration, particularly through innovations like the Virtual Launch Control Centre at VSSC.
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