Chandrayaan-3 is the third lunar exploration mission conducted by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under its Chandrayaan program. The mission is aimed at demonstrating the capability for safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. Similar to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, Chandrayaan-3 consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan.
Key Details:
Start Date: The Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched on 14 July 2023.
Lander and Rover: The mission features a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan. The lander is intended to make a soft landing on the lunar surface, while the rover is designed to rove on the Moon's surface.
Apocynthion Altitude: The Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved an apocynthion (highest point in its lunar orbit) altitude of 163 km.
Launch Mass: The total launch mass of Chandrayaan-3 is 3900 kg.
Orbital Insertion: The spacecraft was successfully inserted into lunar orbit on 5 August 2023.
Power: The mission's propulsion module has a power of 758 W, the lander module has 738 W, and the rover (WS with Bias Rover) has 50 W.
Rocket: The mission was launched using a GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy lift launch vehicle.
Scientific Goals:
Chandrayaan-3 aims to enhance our understanding of the Moon's geology, surface features, and composition. The mission is particularly interested in exploring the Moon's South Polar Region, an area of significant scientific interest due to the presence of permanently shadowed regions that could potentially contain water ice. Detecting water ice on the Moon would have profound implications for future lunar exploration and potential resource utilization.
Mission Success and Significance:
The successful landing and operations of Chandrayaan-3 hold immense significance for India's space exploration endeavors. It not only showcases India's technological advancements in space exploration but also contributes to the global understanding of lunar science. By demonstrating safe landing and roving capabilities, Chandrayaan-3 paves the way for future lunar missions and potential human exploration of the Moon.
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