Chandrayaan-3, the third lunar mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. With its launch, India has once again marked its presence in the global space exploration arena, leaving an indelible mark on history. The effects of Chandrayaan-3 on mankind are profound and multifaceted. Firstly, the mission will significantly contribute to our understanding of the moon's geology, surface composition, and its evolution, unraveling mysteries that have long fascinated scientists and igniting new avenues of research. This knowledge can pave the way for future human colonization and resource extraction on the moon, enabling us to explore and utilize the celestial body for the betterment of mankind. Additionally, Chandrayaan-3 serves as a source of inspiration and national pride, instilling a sense of technological prowess and scientific achievement in aspiring young minds. It motivates the next generation to pursue careers in STEM fields, fostering innovation and driving economic growth. Furthermore, international collaborations and exchanges of scientific data resulting from this mission will enhance global cooperation in space exploration, leading to a collective advancement of scientific knowledge and serving as a catalyst for peaceful collaborations between nations. Overall, Chandrayaan-3 is not only an epic launch in history but also a stepping stone towards a brighter future, where mankind's insatiable curiosity and quest for exploration continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.
The mission, which began more than a month ago at an estimated cost of $75 million, is expected to last another two weeks. Somnath said that India would next attempt a manned lunar mission. Nuclear-armed India grew to become the world’s fifth-largest economy last year.
Cementing India’s status as a global power in space, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scripted history as Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft made a soft landing on the surface of the Moon Wednesday evening. With the mission’s success, India has become the first country to land a spacecraft on the lunar’s uncharted territory of south pole and fourth overall to reach on the Moon.
The spacecraft’s Vikram lander made the soft landing at 6.04 PM (IST), ending the disappointment over the crash-landing of the Chandrayaan-2 lander four years ago. While congratulating the team of scientists behind the mission, ISRO chief S Somnath said the health of the lander will now be assessed and that rover will come out from the lander module in the next few hours.
According to ISRO, the mission’s three objectives are to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, to demonstrate a Rover roving on the Moon and to conduct in-situ scientific experiments. While Indian space programme gets many compliments for getting such a big bang for its limited budget, frugal innovation will no longer be enough for India to make a difference to global activity on the Moon, C Raja Mohan argues in this piece.
ISRO SAC played a crucial role in the landing process. It has developed a number of sensors on board the lander, including the hazard detection and avoidance camera and processing algorithm.
SAC has developed eight camera systems for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, four of which are on board the lander, and one on the rover. Three other cameras on the lander played a crucial role in the landing.
One of the mission's major goals is to hunt for water-based ice which, scientists say, could support human habitation on the Moon in future. It could also be used for supplying propellant for spacecraft headed to Mars and other distant destinations. Scientists say the surface area that remains in permanent shadow there is huge and could hold reserves of water ice.
The lander and the rover are carrying five scientific instruments which will help discover the physical characteristics of the surface of the Moon, the atmosphere close to the surface and the tectonic activity to study what goes on below the surface.
The rover is carrying an Indian flag and its wheels also have Isro's logo and emblem embossed on them so that they leave imprints on the lunar soil during the Moon walk.
Excited and anxious people across India crowded around televisions in offices, shops, restaurants and homes. Thousands prayed Tuesday for the success of the mission with oil lamps on the river banks, temples and religious places, including the holy city of Varanasi in northern India.
India is not the only country with an eye on the Moon - there's a growing global interest in it, with many other missions headed to the lunar surface in the near future. And scientists say there is still much to understand about the Moon that's often described as a gateway to deep space.
