Everything You Need to Know About Chandrayaan 3

India is all set to launch Chandrayaan-3, its third mission to the moon, hoping to make its mark as the fourth country to achieve a successful soft landing on the lunar surface. The launch, scheduled for Friday at 2:35 pm, is a testament to India's perseverance and ambition in space exploration, with the nation making a second attempt to accomplish what its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, could not.

Despite the failed landing attempt of Chandrayaan-2, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not lost momentum. Instead, the organization has turned failure into a learning experience, taking insights from the previous mission to optimize Chandrayaan-3. Now let's take a look at what this new mission entails and the changes that have been made.

A Refined Approach to the Mission

Following the launch, the spacecraft will incrementally elevate its orbit to escape Earth's gravitational pull. Once the spacecraft has manoeuvred itself into the moon's gravitational field, it will work to reduce its orbit to a 100x100 km circle. This entire process, known as a Hohmann Transfer Orbit, will take around 42 days, culminating in a landing slated for lunar dawn on August 23.

The mission will last one lunar day due to the lander and rover's inability to survive the extreme temperature drop during lunar nights. The lander, which houses the rover, will separate from the propulsion module and start its powered descent toward the moon, marking the beginning of the exploration phase.

The Shift in the Landing Site

The designated landing location for Chandrayaan-3 is a slight deviation from the previous mission. Situated near the moon's southern pole, this new site has been selected due to its potential to harbour water ice and precious minerals, a treasure trove for space exploration.

The shift in the landing site has been influenced by images captured by the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. Although the current mission lacks its orbiter, it will utilize data from Chandrayaan-2 to navigate the lunar terrain effectively and ensure a smooth landing.