Chandrayaan 3 the flagship mission of India to the moon will be launched on 14th July 2023 at 02:35 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Chandrayaan-3, the highly anticipated follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, is set to mark another milestone in India’s space exploration journey. With the previous mission encountering technical challenges and missing the soft landing on the moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has incorporated valuable lessons learned to ensure the success of Chandrayaan-3. This article provides an overview of the mission, its objectives, spacecraft details, and important information about the launch.
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Chandrayaan 3 Mission Launch Details:
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is scheduled to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 2:30 PM IST. The mission will be carried out by the ‘Fat Boy‘ LVM3-M4 rocket, developed by ISRO.
The objective of Chandrayaan 3 Mission:
The primary objective of Chandrayaan 3 is to achieve a successful soft landing on the lunar surface. This will enable scientists to conduct chemical analysis and gather vital data required for future planetary missions. Building upon the discoveries made by the previous missions, Chandrayaan-3 aims to further expand our understanding of the moon and its composition.
Spacecraft Details:
The Chandrayaan 3 spacecraft consists of a lander and a rover. The lander, named Vikram (meaning “Valor” in Sanskrit), is equipped with four instruments that will record thermal conductivity and detect moonquakes around the landing site, among other data. The rover, named Pragyan (meaning “Wisdom” in Sanskrit), will roll off Vikram upon touchdown and explore the nearby region. Pragyan is equipped with onboard cameras to navigate the lunar surface and conduct scientific experiments.
Lander and Rover Details:
The lander module, including the rover, has a total weight of 1,752 kg. The rover itself weighs 26 kg. Additionally, Chandrayaan 3 includes a propulsion module weighing 2,148 kg, resulting in a total mission weight of 3,900 kg. The name of the lander is ‘Vikram‘ and the name of the rover is ‘Pragyan‘
Chandrayaan 3 Landing Date:
ISRO Chairman S Somanath has stated that the mission is expected to make a soft landing on the moon between August 23 and 24, 2023. However, this date may be subject to change depending on factors such as the sunrise over the moon. In case of any delay, ISRO will reschedule the landing for September.
Here’s a table summarizing the launch dates of ISRO’s Chandrayaan missions:
| Mission | Launch Date |
|---|---|
| Chandrayaan-1 Mission | October 22, 2008 |
| Chandrayaan-2 Mission | July 22, 2019 |
| Chandrayaan-3 Mission | July 14, 2023 |
How to Watch the Launch:
Those interested in witnessing the launch can do so either in person from the Launch View Gallery at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (by registering at ivg.shar.gov.in/) or through live streaming on the official YouTube channel of ISRO or on Doordarshan. With Chandrayaan-3, ISRO is set to embark on a significant lunar exploration mission. The cost of the entire mission is 615 Cr that in itself is a remarkable feat.
By applying the knowledge gained from previous attempts, ISRO aims to accomplish a successful soft landing on the moon’s surface and conduct vital scientific research. As the launch date approaches, space enthusiasts eagerly await this remarkable achievement, which will further establish India’s presence in the field of space exploration.
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NEWS, ISRO, Science & Technology
