Successful launch of ‘Chandrayaan 3’

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) – On the 14th of July 2023, ‘Chandrayaan 3’ was launched successfully from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 2.35 p.m. Thus, the first stage of sending a spacecraft to the Moon by the scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been completed. The spacecraft will land on the Moon on 23rd August 2023 by 5.00 p.m. as informed by ISRO scientists. In 2019, ‘Chandrayaan 2’ could not land on the Moon successfully.

India will be the 4th country in the world if ‘Chandrayaan 3’ is successful in landing on the Moon – Chief, ISRO

After the successful launching of ‘Chandrayaan 3’, ISRO Chief S Somnath said that ‘Chandrayaan 3’ has started its journey toward the Moon. India wants to show its power in space science to the world through this mission. ‘Chandrayaan 3’ has written a new history. India will be the fourth country in the world after the USA, Russia, and China when the mission ends successfully.

Congratulations from PM Narendra Modi

The key scientific outcomes from Chandrayaan 2 include the first ever global map for lunar sodium, enhancing knowledge on crater size distribution, unambiguous detection of lunar surface water ice with IIRS instrument and more. This Mission has featured in almost 50 publications.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is touring France and has congratulated ISRO scientists on the successful launch of ‘Chandrayaan 3’ through tweet. He has written that ‘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 !’

What is ‘Chandrayaan 3’ Mission ?

‘Chandrayaan 3’ is the next step of ‘Chandrayaan 2’. It will land on the South Pole of the Moon and study the lunar soil and atmosphere. In 2019, ‘Chandrayaan 2’ failed to smoothly land on the Moon. Its remnants were found by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA, after 3 months. Now, ‘Chandrayaan 3’ is going to attempt landing on the Moon. The ‘Lander’ and ‘Rover’ will separate from the spacecraft on the South Pole of the Moon. ‘Rover’ is a six-wheeled robot that will be inside the ‘Lander’ and will come out once the spacecraft lands on the Moon. It will remain in the lunar orbit and study the rays coming from the Earth, along with studying the surface of the Moon through the soil and dust on the Moon.

Study on the Moon will be for 14 days

The Moon has light and darkness for 14 days each. The temperature on the Moon is -100 degrees Celsius when there is a night on the Moon. The ‘Lander’ and ‘Rover’ of ‘Chandrayaan 3’ will generate heat through solar panels; so, they will generate power for 14 days, but the night of the Moon for 14 days will stop the process of generating power. In the absence of electricity, electronic equipment will get spoiled in severe cold. As such, the ‘Lander’ and ‘Rover’ will be able to work and conduct a study on the Moon only for the first 14 days.