Why Chandrayaan 3 is a Big Deal and What We Can Expect

Have you been following India’s space program? Most likely not. If you are like most people, you might pay attention to space activity, like the recent Virgin Galactic launch, taking place within the United States but not so if it is abroad. This is possibly with good reason, too. Other countries may not have had many exciting developments to offer since the previous space race.

But it looks like the tides are turning and one could confidently state that we are in a new space race. This one, fueled by different factors.

If you are in the very few that have been following along, then you probably know that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had not only announced plans for a third lunar mission, known as Chandrayaan 3 but has also been able to carry it out. In short, the mission has to turned out to be a success so far and has hit several milestones. The mission will help to advance our knowledge of our moon and shed light on potential resources, and opportunities that await us on the moon.

But what exactly is so special about this mission and why should we be excited? In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into Chandrayaan 3 and what it means for India’s space program.

Chandrayaan 3 Marks India’s Third Mission To the Moon

The first thing to understand is that Chandrayaan 3 is the third mission in the Chandrayaan series, which began with Chandrayaan 1 in 2008. The second mission, Chandrayaan 2, was launched in July 2019 and was India’s most ambitious lunar mission to date. Unfortunately, the mission didn’t go as planned, and the lander, Vikram, crash-landed on the moon’s surface. But despite this setback, ISRO has bounced back with plans for Chandrayaan 3.

So, what can we expect from Chandrayaan 3? According to ISRO, the mission will consist of a lander and a rover, but the orbiter will not be included this time. The lander and rover will be designed to meet the same objectives as the ones in Chandrayaan 2, which was to explore the moon’s south pole region, study its surface, and search for water and other resources.

The Indian Space Agency Still Presses On with Chandrayaan 3 Despite Setbacks

One of the primary reasons why Chandrayaan 3 is a big deal is because it shows that ISRO is not deterred by the setback of Chandrayaan 2. In fact, they are using the lessons learned from that mission to improve the design and functionality of Chandrayaan 3. For example, ISRO has stated that they will be using a different, more reliable landing system for the lander to ensure a successful landing.

Continued Investment In Space Can Open Up New Opportunities

Another reason why Chandrayaan 3 is exciting is because it represents a continued investment and dedication to India’s space program. India’s space program has come a long way since its inception in the 1960s, and has been making headlines with its recent achievements, such as the successful launch of 104 satellites in a single mission in 2017. Chandrayaan 3 will be another milestone in India’s space journey and will help raise the profile of the country’s space agency globally.

Additionally, Chandrayaan 3 has the potential to contribute to scientific research and discovery related to the moon. As mentioned earlier, Chandrayaan 3 will be exploring the moon’s south pole region, which is relatively unexplored and could hold important clues about the moon’s formation and evolution. In fact, many scientists believe that there might be water ice on the moon’s south pole, which would be a game-changer for future lunar missions.

Another exciting aspect of Chandrayaan 3 is that it will be entirely built by Indian companies, which will boost the country’s indigenous manufacturing capabilities. According to ISRO, the lander and rover will be built by two different Indian firms and will be assembled by a third company. This will not only contribute to the growth of India’s space industry but also create more job opportunities in the country.

In conclusion, Chandrayaan 3 represents a significant step forward for India’s space program and has the potential to make important contributions to scientific research and discovery. By continuing to invest in its space program and taking on ambitious missions such as this one, India is positioning itself as a key player in the global space race. We can’t wait to see what Chandrayaan 3 will bring and look forward to following its progress.