Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched India’s third lunar mission, Chandrayaan 3 on Friday, July 14, at 2:35 pm. Chandrayaan 3 was launched on Launch Vehicle Mark-3(LVM-3) rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is designed to deploy a lander and rover near the moon’s South Pole on about August 23.
ISRO engineers and scientists celebrated as they monitored the launch of the spacecraft from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
“Congratulations India. Chandrayaan-3 has started its journey towards the moon,” ISRO Director Sreedhara Panicker Somanath said shortly after the launch.
President of India Droupadi Murmu congratulated the ISRO team and everyone who worked with the team saying ” This success demonstrates the nation’s unwavering commitment to advancement in space science and technology. This marks a significant milestone in space exploration for India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO after the successful launch of the third Moon mission saying “Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in India’s space odyssey. It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian. This momentous achievement is a testament to our scientists’ relentless dedication. I salute their spirit and ingenuity!.”
Now, India will join the exclusive club of countries that have achieved a lunar landing, currently with the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China.
Chandrayaan-3: Signalling India’s Next Step in Space Exploration
The launch is a significant milestone for India, marking its first major mission since the government’s announcement of policies aimed at boosting investment in private space launches and satellite-based businesses. The mission not only aims to explore the moon’s surface but also signals India’s openness to the accelerating private-sector space race.
The mission, building on the success of Chandrayan-2 aims to showcase India’s complete capability in achieving a secure lunar landing and enabling the exploration of the moon’s surface through roving. The mission will consist of a Lander and Rover configuration, representing a significant advancement in India’s lunar exploration efforts.
The mission’s liftoff will be facilitated by the indigenously developed LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), which will carry the essential components, including the Lander and Rover, into space. Once in orbit, the propulsion module will play a crucial role, transporting the Lander and Rover configuration to a lunar orbit approximately 100 kilometres above the moon’s surface. The rover is expected to remain operational for two weeks, conducting a series of experiments.
In addition to its primary objectives, Chandrayaan-3 will also carry an innovative payload known as Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE). This advanced scientific instrument will enable the study of spectral and polarimetric measurements of Earth, providing valuable insights into our home planet from the unique vantage point of the lunar orbit.
Arup Dasgupta, Former Deputy Director of ISRO and Managing Editor of Geospatial World, is very optimistic about the success of Chandrayaan-3. In an interview with WION, he called this a major step for ISRO with the end goal being sending a person to the moon and beyond. He emphasized how crucial the cryogenic stage of the mission is and ISRO being successful at it is quite a feat. The cryogenic engine will aid in placing the heavy lunar module in an orbit around the Earth. The Vikas engine used was made in development with The National Centre for Space Studies, France. He was also looking ahead at India being a good source for launching satellites and emphasized the need to increase the number of launch pads. As the LVM3 was used to launch the Oneweb satellites, he talked about how he was looking forward to the NISAR(NASA- ISRO SAR Mission) slated to be launched in 2024.
With Chandrayaan-3, India is poised to showcase its continued commitment to space exploration and technological advancements. The mission represents a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of safe lunar landings and the ability to conduct surface operations with the Rover.
Beyond scientific exploration, India sees this mission as an opportunity to enhance its global stature and drive growth in the commercial space industry. As reported by Reuters, Ajey Lele, a consultant at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, believes that a successful mission will bring indirect benefits to India’s space sector, attracting more commercial opportunities. India aspires to increase its space companies’ share of the global launch market by fivefold within the next decade.
India Setting the Stage for Global Space Collaboration
Since opening up to private launches in 2020, India has witnessed a surge in space startups, with the number more than doubling. One such company, Skyroot Aerospace, even launched India’s first privately built rocket. The nation’s commitment to space exploration and collaboration has attracted international attention as well. During a visit to the United States, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden pledged to deepen cooperation in space.
India’s vision extends beyond its achievements. The ISRO has signed a memorandum of understanding with Voyager Space, a Denver-based company working on the Starlab space station project, to collaborate with Indian space startups and utilize Indian rockets. This collaboration showcases India’s strategic perspective on space and its aspirations to become a pioneer in the industry.
As the countdown to the Chandrayaan-3 launch begins, the world awaits India’s historic moon mission. If successful, this endeavour will not only solidify India’s position as a space power but also open up new possibilities for scientific discovery and commercial opportunities in space exploration.
Watch this video to learn more about the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
