India on Moon: The Chandrayaan Story
Moon has unique cultural significance.
Moon has been fascinating mankind since ages. The moon is a significant symbol and source of inspiration for various cultures throughout our history. The cultural perception of the moon varies across different regions and societies around the world, for example- in Greek mythology, the moon was personified as the goddess Selene. In Hindu mythology, the moon god is known as Chandra.
Shri Krishna says in Shrimad Bhagwad Gita,
“नक्षत्राणामहं शशी” (nakṣhatrāṇām ahaṁ śhaśhī) that means, “Amongst the heavenly bodies, I am the moon.”
Moon’s mythological significance often represent various aspects like fertility, femininity, or the passage of time. Several cultures (Hinduism, Islam) have traditionally used lunar calendars and are still using for determining religious festivals, agricultural practices, and other significant events. Numerous cultures celebrate moon-related festivals. For example, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is widely celebrated in East Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, and South Korea. It has been a source of inspiration for poets, artists, and writers across cultures, representing beauty, mystery, and romance. Some cultures believe that the moon influences human behavior and natural phenomena. This belief is seen in concepts like lunar phases affecting moods, menstrual cycles, and agricultural activities. Various folk beliefs and superstitions are associated with the moon in different cultures. For example, the idea that a full moon can cause madness or supernatural occurrences, or the belief that moonlight has healing properties.
The 1969 Apollo moon landing by NASA was a significant moment that had a global impact. It generated awe, fear, anger, suspicion, thrill and wonder, inspiring scientific advancements and fueling a collective interest in space exploration.
Moon missions across the world.
Luna Program (1958–1976):
The Soviet Union’s Luna program was the first series of robotic missions aimed at exploring the moon. The program included several missions from 1959 to 1976, with the successful landing of Luna 2 in 1959, becoming the first human-made object to reach the moon’s surface.
Apollo Program (1961–1972):
The Apollo program was initiated by the NASA with the goal of landing humans on the moon. It consisted of multiple manned missions, with Apollo 11 being the most famous. On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11’s crew, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, became the first humans to set foot on the moon.
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Soviet Manned Lunar Programs (1964–1974):
The Soviet Union also had plans to send cosmonauts to the moon. The Soviet manned lunar program included the Soyuz program and the N1-L3 program, which aimed to develop a lunar lander and a super heavy-lift rocket. However, technical difficulties and multiple failures resulted in the cancellation of the program.
Luna 16, 20, and 24 (1970–1976):
After the success of Luna 2, the Soviet Union continued its Luna program with the Luna 16, 20, and 24 missions. These robotic missions were designed to land on the moon, collect samples, and return them to Earth. Luna 16 became the first mission to return lunar soil samples to Earth in 1970.
Chang’e Program (2007-present):
China’s lunar exploration program, named after the Chinese moon goddess Chang’e, began with the launch of Chang’e 1 in 2007. The program has since seen the successful missions of Chang’e 2, Chang’e 3 (which included the deployment of a lunar rover), Chang’e 4 (the first-ever landing on the moon’s far side), and Chang’e 5 (which brought back lunar samples to Earth).
Artemis Program (2017-present):
The Artemis program, led by NASA, aims to return humans to the moon and establish sustainable lunar exploration by the late 2020s. The program includes plans for crewed missions, the construction of a lunar outpost called Gateway, and the eventual goal of manned missions to Mars.
India’s venture to the moon.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has made noticeable contributions to lunar exploration over the years. India’s moon programs have not only focused on scientific exploration but also on technological advancements and international collaborations. ISRO has gained recognition for its cost-effective missions and achievements in space research, making India a notable participant in the global landscape of lunar exploration.
Chandrayaan-1 (2008):
India’s first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, was launched in October 2008. The spacecraft successfully orbited the moon and conducted various scientific experiments. It also carried instruments from other countries, including NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Bulgaria.
The mission aimed to study the moon’s surface, atmosphere, and mineral composition, as well as search for evidence of water ice. The spacecraft carried 11 scientific instruments, including a high-resolution camera, an imaging spectrometer, a synthetic aperture radar, and various other detectors and spectrometers. Chandrayaan-1 carried instruments from other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden These instruments were designed to collect data about the moon’s surface, minerals, topography, and atmosphere. After its launch, Chandrayaan-1 entered an elliptical orbit around the moon. It performed a series of orbit-raising tasks to reach its intended operational orbit. Chandrayaan-1 experienced a communication failure in August 2009, nearly ten months after its launch. The spacecraft lost contact with ground stations, leading to an unplanned end to the mission. Chandrayaan-1 set the directions for India’s lunar exploration endeavors, underlining ISRO’s abilities in space and the foundation for the next missions.
Chandrayaan-2 (2019):
Inspired from the success of Chadrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2 had elaborated scientific and technological objectives, and aimed to land a rover on the moon’s surface. The mission included an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan. Although the lander did not have a successful soft landing, the orbiter worked and gathered some data. The intended landing site for the mission was near the lunar south pole region, specifically the highland area of the moon’s south polar region, which had never been explored before. The orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 has been operational since its arrival in lunar orbit. It continues to study the moon, collect data, and transmit valuable information back to Earth. The mission has expanded ISRO’s understanding of the moon and provided confidence to next missions. The lander, Vikram lost contact due to hard landing and was not able to function as expected. As a result, the lander’s primary objectives, including deploying the rover Pragyan, were not accomplished.
Chandrayaan-3 (2023):
Learning from soft landing failure of Chandrayaan-2, 3rd mission was planned to improve the landing technology. Chandrayaan-3 holds significant symbolic value for India. The successful execution of lunar missions elevates national pride and boosts the morale of the country’s scientific community and common man.
Chandrayaan-3 aims to achieve a successful soft landing on the lunar surface, which is crucial for future lunar missions, as it enables the safe delivery of payloads and potential human exploration.
If works well, Chandrayaan-3 will build upon the scientific objectives of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, to further our understanding of the moon’s geology, mineralogy, and the presence of water ice.
Chandrayaan-3, the launch:
India’s third Moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, has been successfully launched with the goal of being the first to land near the little-explored south pole of the Moon. On July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm Indian Standard Time, the spacecraft, consisting of an orbiter, lander, and rover, took off from Sriharikota space center.
Thousands of spectators witnessed the launch from the viewer’s gallery, and the rocket’s majestic ascent into the sky was met with cheers and applause from the enthusiastic crowd and scientists. The lander and rover are scheduled to touch down near the lunar south pole region on August 23, 2023. If the mission is successful, India will become the fourth country, following the United States, Soviet Union, and China, to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is divided into three phases: the Earth-centric phase, the lunar transfer phase, and the moon-centric phase. The initial phase, which includes prelaunch preparations and the spacecraft’s separation from the rocket, is now partially complete. The mission has entered the Earth-bound maneuver stage, where Chandrayaan-3 will make five orbits around the Earth, gradually increasing its distance from our planet. The final orbit will enable the spacecraft to embark on the lunar transfer phase, moving it closer to the Moon.
The lander will touch down in the moon’s south polar region, while the propulsion module will remain in lunar orbit to maintain communication with the rover and lander. Once Chandrayaan-3 lands safely, the rover will commence its exploration activities. Equipped with scientific payloads such as the LASER Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) and the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), the rover will analyze the chemical composition of the lunar surface and rocks.
Simultaneously, the lander will conduct its own scientific investigations. It will utilize the Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) instrument to study plasma at the lunar surface and monitor changes over time. As the rover and lander perform their functions, a passive experiment called the LASER Retroreflector Array (LRA), contributed by NASA, will collect data in the background. This experiment aims to provide insights into the dynamics of the lunar system.
Overall, the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission would be a significant achievement for India, establishing it as the fourth nation to soft-land a probe on the Moon.
What Chandrayaan missions mean to India.
Space exploration, for example- Mars and Lunar missions, is often seen as a symbol of national prestige. For India, the Chandrayaan missions have played a role in elevating its standing as a technically capable nation. The success of Chandrayaan missions contributes to India’s position in the competitive landscape of space exploration, where countries strive to establish their technological prowess and secure strategic advantages. The Chandrayaan missions have fostered international collaboration in space exploration. For example, Chandrayaan-1 carried scientific instruments from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden. These collaborations strengthen scientific ties, promote knowledge-sharing, and build diplomatic relationships between nations involved.
ISRO has collaborated with various space agencies, including NASA and European space agencies in several technologies for other than lunar missions also. ISRO and NASA are jointly developing the NISAR satellite mission, which aims to launch a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite. NISAR will provide valuable data on Earth’s surface deformation, ecosystem changes, and natural hazards. ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission, also known as Mangalyaan, received support and assistance from NASA during its development and launch phase. ISRO also collaborated with the European Space Agency (ESA) in the ExoMars mission, specifically in the area of scientific payload development.
Most prominently, India has emerged as a cost-effective space technology platform provider; for examples the cost of Chandrayaan 1, 2 and 3 are approximately US$52 Millions, US$128 Millions and US$75 Millions which is way cheaper than NASA’s lunar mission in 1960s (cost $25.8 billion then).
With its continuous lunar missions, India has become the first country in South Asia to launch a lunar probe and explore the moon. This regional leadership enhances India’s influence and soft power in the region, potentially leading to opportunities for economic, technological, and scientific cooperation with neighboring countries.
Reference:
- https://www.isro.gov.in/Chandrayaan3_New.html
- Wikipedia pages
- News articles
