Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2, and upcoming Chandrayaan-3 are India's lunar exploration missions undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These missions have contributed significantly to lunar science and technology development.
Chandrayaan-1:
Launch Date: October 22, 2008
Objectives: Study the Moon's surface composition, mineralogy, and search for water ice in polar regions.
Instruments: Moon Impact Probe, Moon Impact Mapper (M3), Miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar (MiniSAR), etc.
Notable Achievement: Discovery of water molecules on the lunar surface.
Chandrayaan-2:
Launch Date: July 22, 2019
Objectives: To explore the Moon's south polar region, study its mineral composition, and search for water ice.
Components: Orbiter, Vikram Lander, Pragyan Rover
Lander Issues: The Vikram Lander crash-landed on the Moon's surface due to a communication loss during descent.
Orbiter's Success: The Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter continues to provide valuable data and observations.
Chandrayaan-3:
| Orbital insertion | 5 August 2023 |
|---|---|
| Orbital parameters | |
| Pericynthion altitude | 153 km (95 mi) |
| Apocynthion altitude | 163 km (101 mi) |
| Moon lander | |
| Spacecraft component | Vikram lander |
| Landing date | 23 August 2023 18:02 IST, (12:32 UTC)[3] |
| Landing site | 69.367621°S 32.348126°E[4] (between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters)[5] |
| Moon rover | |
| Landing date | 23 August 2023 |
Key Technological Aspects:
1. Lander-Orbiter Communication: Establishing reliable communication between the lander/rover and the orbiter to transmit data back to Earth.
2. Soft Landing: Developing a precise and controlled landing system to ensure a safe landing on the lunar surface.
3. Rover Mobility: Designing a robust rover capable of traversing the lunar terrain, collecting samples, and conducting experiments.
4. Scientific Instruments: Developing instruments to analyze the Moon's surface composition, mineralogy, water ice presence, and other geological characteristics.
5. Navigation and Control: Implementing advanced navigation and control systems to ensure accurate trajectory corrections and successful mission execution.
6. Thermal Management: Developing thermal control systems to protect the spacecraft from extreme temperature variations on the lunar surface.
7. Power Generation: Utilizing solar panels to generate power for spacecraft operations in the lunar environment.
8. Data Transmission: Establishing efficient data transmission systems to relay scientific data and images back to Earth.
9. Remote Sensing: Using remote sensing techniques to capture high-resolution images and data for lunar analysis.
10. Data Analysis: Processing and interpreting the collected data to gain insights into the Moon's geological and mineralogical characteristics.
These missions have not only contributed to India's space capabilities but have also expanded our understanding of the Moon's composition and origin. They provide excellent case studies for engineering students to learn about mission planning, design, execution, and the challenges faced in space exploration.
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