The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) plans to launch Chandrayaan-3, showcasing their dedication to lunar exploration after the challenges faced in Chandrayaan-2. The upcoming mission of Chandrayaan-3 aims to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, a task achieved by only three other countries before India i.e. the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.
As the world is eagerly watching the mission, Let’s explore the reasons for the renewed interest in lunar exploration, the challenges associated with landing on the Moon, and the significance of exploring the lunar south pole.
Reason for Mission Chandrayaan-3: One of the primary reasons for revisiting the Moon is the scientific curiosity it holds. Scientists are eager to study the lunar surface to understand more about the solar system, its history, and gather valuable data on water presence, mineral composition, and other resources.
The Moon’s weaker gravitational forces make it an ideal launching point for future space missions, enabling it to explore destinations like Mars and beyond. Establishing a base on the Moon could facilitate resource utilization and testing technologies crucial for deep space exploration.
Recent discoveries of water on the Moon has generated interest in using it to produce rocket fuel. Hydrogen, a component of water, can be extracted through solar-powered electrolysis, providing a potential source of rocket fuel to support future space exploration.
Challenges in Lunar Landings:
- Long-distance and Thin Atmosphere: Reaching at the Moon is a challenging task because of its distance of over 384,000 kilometers from Earth. The absence of a significant atmosphere on the Moon means that it is impossible to rely on atmospheric drag for descent deceleration is not possible, requiring advanced landing computation systems and extra fuel.
- Complex Landing Process: The final stage of the lunar landing requires precise calculations and rapid control by flight computers. Without the use of GPS, spacecraft need to use onboard sensors and data to safely and successfully land at the planned safe landing site.
South Pole Of Lunar i.e. Landing of Chandrayaan-3: ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to land near the lunar south pole at 70 degrees latitude, an unexplored region that offers unique scientific opportunities. The lunar south pole, in spite of its extreme cold and dark conditions, preserves valuable data and materials from the early Solar System, offering potential insights into our cosmic history.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission represents India’s second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the Moon. ISRO is determined to overcome the challenges of lunar landings, with objectives focused on scientific exploration, resource utilization, and establishing a presence for future space missions.
As nations like India, China, and others join the race to explore the Moon, humanity stands on the edge of new discoveries that could unravel the mysteries of the solar system and shape the future of space exploration.
