In a groundbreaking development, India has achieved what once appeared insurmountable to others – a successful moon landing. For generations, the moon has held an irresistible allure, and it’s only recently that we’ve made significant strides. Initially, we sent robotic missions, followed by manned ones. Notably, the Soviet Union and the U.S. deliberately crashed spacecraft into the moon in 1959 and 1962, respectively. Subsequently, other nations like Japan, the European Space Agency, India, and China also intentionally crash-landed missions. However, recent advancements have allowed space agencies to conduct soft landings, with the Soviet Union leading the way in 1966, followed by the U.S. and China. Just last week, Russia’s Luna 25 and India’s Chandrayaan-3 embarked on soft landings at the moon’s south pole, an area of interest due to potential water ice in its permanently shadowed regions. Regrettably, Russia’s mission faltered, but India emerged as the fourth nation to achieve a successful soft landing on the moon.
The Indian space agency confirmed Chandrayaan-3’s rover’s successful descent from the lander, mirroring the soft landing feats of the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China. Once dust settled, Vikram’s panels opened, allowing Pragyan to gently descend to the lunar surface via a ramp. Pragyan’s primary mission involves collecting crucial data and images for transmission to Earth, enabling the study of lunar surface minerals and chemical composition. Communication will occur through the lander, which will relay information to Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter for further analysis on Earth. Moving at a leisurely pace of 1cm per second, Pragyan will imprint the Indian Space Research Organization’s logo on its wheels. The landing occurred at the beginning of a lunar day, providing 14 days of sunlight to recharge their batteries. However, their operations will cease once night falls, with reactivation prospects uncertain. Equipped with various scientific instruments, the lander will explore the moon’s surface and its surroundings.
The primary mission objective revolves around the search for water at the moon’s south pole, where shadowed craters could potentially harbor ice, a valuable resource for future space travel and human habitation, including endeavors to Mars.
Why choose this landing location? The moon’s south pole holds the promise of water ice, a precious resource for future lunar missions. It also presents the tantalizing possibility of hosting life. Moreover, the lunar south pole holds vital clues about lunar history, concealing secrets about water and volatile deposits. This region contains cold traps, enigmatic places where ice from comets and meteorites hides. Experiments and readings have confirmed the presence of ice and hydroxyl, intensifying interest in lunar exploration with advanced infrared detection. The unique behavior of lunar thermal dynamics, influenced by factors like sunlight scattering, thermal re-radiation, internal heat, and Earth’s illumination, keeps ice locked away in these lunar cold traps, awaiting discovery.
The lunar south pole boasts an intriguing exosphere, featuring gases and compounds ripe for study. India’s achievement is even more remarkable, considering the challenging lunar terrain at the south pole. It’s a cosmic maze, and India has secured an exclusive VIP pass!
The spacecraft comprises three vital components: the propulsion module, the lander (Vikram), and the rover (Pragyan).
Propulsion Module: As the spacecraft approaches its destination, the propulsion module, resembling a sturdy box, employs solar panels to harness solar power for the journey. Atop the module, the Inter-modular Adapter Cone facilitates the lander’s seamless connection, ensuring a successful lunar adventure.
Vikram Lander: Named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, a luminary in India’s space program, the Vikram lander, weighing approximately 1,471 kilograms, plays a pivotal role. Equipped with advanced technology and navigation systems, it aimed for a precise lunar landing. Notably, the previous mission in 2019 faced a tense moment when communication with Vikram was lost, but it successfully reached the lunar surface in August 2023, marking significant progress.
Pragyan Rover: This diminutive yet powerful rover, standing at 1 meter tall and weighing 27 kilograms, assumes the central role. It’s equipped with advanced instruments to collect essential data about the lunar surface, primarily at the landing site. Pragyan’s mobility system, powered by solar panels, enables precise navigation across challenging lunar terrain. It boasts high-resolution cameras and spectrometers for imaging and elemental analysis, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries.
Russia’s recent Luna 25 mission encountered a setback, emphasizing the difficulty of landing on the moon’s uneven terrain. The spacecraft spun out of control and tragically crashed, underscoring challenges in Russia’s space program, which once held a prominent position in space exploration but now faces decline.
India’s successful lunar landing aligns it with elite members of lunar exploration, including:
United States: Renowned for the Apollo program, the U.S. conducted successful manned moon missions between 1969 and 1972, notably achieving the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969.
Soviet Union: The Luna program focused on robotic lunar exploration, achieving milestones like Luna 2’s impact on the moon and Luna 9’s soft landing. However, their accomplishments were overshadowed by U.S. manned missions.
China: Under the Chang’e program, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) achieved China’s first soft lunar landing with Chang’e 3 in 2013. Subsequent missions, including Chang’e 4 and Chang’e 5, furthered China’s lunar exploration.
India’s successful lunar landing with Chandrayaan-3’s rover stands as a momentous achievement for its space agency. Joining the ranks of the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China, India’s mission primarily focuses on searching for water at the moon’s south pole, with the potential to revolutionize future lunar habitation and space travel.
