India took another leap forward in its space exploration efforts as it successfully launched a rocket carrying an unmanned spacecraft to land on the Moon. This marks India’s second attempt to achieve this feat as part of its cost-effective space program that aims to reach new heights in space exploration.
The LVM3-M4 rocket, a heavyweight in it’s space arsenal, lifted off from Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh amid the cheers and applause of thousands of enthusiasts. The rocket carried the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, which is set to embark on an exciting lunar journey.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) took to Twitter to announce the successful launch, stating, “Chandrayaan-3… has begun its journey to the Moon. Health of the spacecraft is normal.” This announcement sparked excitement and pride across the nation.
India, known as the world’s most populous country, has been steadily closing the gap with global space powers in terms of achieving significant milestones in space exploration. Prior to this mission, only Russia, the United States, and China had accomplished controlled landings on the lunar surface.
It’s previous attempt to land on the Moon ended in disappointment four years ago when ground control lost contact with the spacecraft just moments before landing. However, with the launch of Chandrayaan-3, India seeks to script a new chapter in its space odyssey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in France as the guest of honor at the Bastille Day parade, took to Twitter to express his enthusiasm. “Chandrayaan-3 scripts a new chapter in it’s space odyssey,” he tweeted. “It soars high, elevating the dreams and ambitions of every Indian.”
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which translates to “Mooncraft” in Sanskrit, aims to safely land near the moon’s south pole between August 23 and 24. Developed by ISRO, Chandrayaan-3 comprises a lander module named Vikram, meaning “valour” in Sanskrit, and a rover named Pragyan, which means “wisdom” in the same language.
What sets it’s space program apart is its ability to achieve remarkable milestones at a fraction of the cost incurred by other countries. The Chandrayaan-3 mission has a price tag of $74.6 million, demonstrating India’s frugal yet effective approach to space engineering. By adapting and modifying existing space technology and leveraging a highly skilled workforce of engineers who earn significantly less than their foreign counterparts, India has been able to keep costs low.
While the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft will take longer to reach the Moon compared to the manned Apollo missions of the past, it will follow a unique trajectory. The Indian rocket used in this mission is less powerful than the United States’ Saturn V, so the spacecraft will orbit the Earth elliptically five or six times to gain speed before embarking on its month-long lunar journey.
Assuming a successful landing, the rover will disembark from the lander module and explore the surrounding lunar terrain, capturing images to be transmitted back to Earth for analysis. The rover has a mission life of one lunar day or approximately 14 Earth days.
Jitendra Singh, the junior minister for science and technology, expressed his pride and hailed the moment as a glory for India. “It is indeed a moment of glory for India. Thank you, team ISRO, for making India proud,” he stated in a press conference following the launch.
The ISRO has made significant strides in recent years, expanding its space program and achieving noteworthy milestones. In 2008, India became the first Asian nation to send a probe into lunar orbit. In 2014, it successfully placed a satellite into orbit around Mars, and three years later, the ISRO launched a record-breaking 104 satellites in a single mission.
Looking ahead, India’s Gaganyaan (“Skycraft”) program aims to launch a three-day manned mission into Earth’s orbit by next year. Additionally, India is actively working on expanding its two percent share of the global commercial space market by offering cost-effective solutions for private payloads to be sent into orbit.
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India’s cut-price mission to land on the Moon showcases the nation’s determination and progress in the field of space exploration. With its cost-effective approach, India is poised to achieve greater milestones and contribute significantly to the scientific understanding of the cosmos while inspiring the dreams and ambitions of its citizens.
