Chandrayaan-3 Lunar Mission Overview

Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, aiming to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. The mission consists of a lander and rover configuration, with a primary objective of developing new technologies for interplanetary missions.

Lunar Exploration

Chandrayaan-3 is part of India's lunar exploration program, which seeks to deepen the nation's understanding of the lunar surface and its potential resources. The mission includes scientific payloads on both the lander and rover to carry out experiments and gather data on the lunar surface.

Indian Space Program

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is responsible for leading this mission, which is a collaboration between various ISRO centers and external partners. The mission is a testament to the growing capabilities of the Indian space program, which has been steadily building on its achievements.

Space Missions

Chandrayaan-3 is one of several space missions undertaken by ISRO. It follows in the footsteps of earlier missions like Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, which have contributed to the global understanding of the moon through scientific data and observations.

Space Technology

The mission employs advanced technologies to achieve its objectives. These include a propulsion module that carries the lander and rover configuration to a lunar orbit, as well as scientific payloads on the lander and rover to conduct experiments on the lunar surface.

Lander and Rover

The lander module is designed to soft land at a specified lunar site, while the rover will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during its mobility. The lander and rover are equipped with scientific payloads to conduct experiments on the lunar surface.

Lander Payloads

The lander carries scientific payloads such as Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure thermal conductivity and temperature, Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for measuring seismicity around the landing site, and a Langmuir Probe (LP) to estimate plasma density and its variations. A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is also accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.

Rover Payloads

The rover is equipped with the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) for deriving the elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site.

Propulsion Module

The propulsion module plays a crucial role in carrying the lander and rover configuration to a lunar orbit and separating them from the module.

Lander Special Tests

Several tests have been conducted to demonstrate the advanced technologies in earth conditions, leading to successful outcomes.

Scientific Payloads

The mission's objectives include the use of scientific payloads on the lander and rover to conduct experiments and gather data, contributing to the understanding of the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3 Integrated Module

The mission's integrated module consists of the lander, propulsion module, and rover, each with its specific role in achieving the mission's objectives.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission Profile

The mission profile outlines the stages and operations of the mission, from launch to lunar exploration.

Chandrayaan-3 marks a significant step in India's space program, demonstrating the country's growing capabilities in space exploration and technology development.