Chandrayaan-3: India's Next Moon Mission Set for Launch on July 14; Expected land on Lunar Surface by Aug 23

India's space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has announced that the much-awaited moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, is all set to take off on July 14. This mission follows the previous Chandrayaan-2, which unfortunately faced a setback during its landing phase in September 2019. With the aim of demonstrating safe landing and roving capabilities on the lunar surface, Chandrayaan-3 is expected to pave the way for significant advancements in lunar exploration. In this article, we will delve into the details of this upcoming mission, its objectives, and the significance of its launch.

The Launch Date and Time, Expected landing on Lunar Surface
ISRO took to Twitter to reveal the launch date of Chandrayaan-3. The mission is scheduled to begin on July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The launch will be carried out using ISRO's new heavylift launch vehicle, LVM-3, which will be equipped with an integrated module for the mission. The specific timing of the launch is determined based on calculations considering the sunrise on the moon. If all goes according to plan, the spacecraft is expected to touch down on the lunar surface on August 23.

Announcing the launch of Chandrayaan-3:

🚀LVM3-M4/Chandrayaan-3 🛰️Mission:
The launch is now scheduled for
📆July 14, 2023, at 2:35 pm IST
from SDSC, Sriharikota

Stay tuned for the updates!

— ISRO (@isro) July 6, 2023

Chandrayaan-3: A Follow-On Mission
Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2. While Chandrayaan-2 encountered challenges during its landing, Chandrayaan-3 aims to showcase the end-to-end capability of safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. The mission will continue the pursuit of scientific exploration and expand our understanding of the moon's geology and environment.

Objectives of Chandrayaan-3
The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 is to conduct scientific investigations on the lunar surface. The mission will carry a range of scientific instruments to study various aspects of the moon, including its thermophysical properties, seismic activity, surface plasma environment, and elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site. By gathering data on these parameters, scientists hope to gain insights into the moon's origin, evolution, and its potential as a resource for future space exploration.

Preparations and Integration
In March of this year, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully underwent essential tests to validate its capability to withstand the harsh vibration and acoustic environment during launch. Following these tests, ISRO integrated the encapsulated assembly containing Chandrayaan-3 with the launch vehicle LVM3 at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This integration marks a crucial step in the mission's progress towards its scheduled launch.

Challenges and Learnings from Chandrayaan-2
The Chandrayaan-2 mission faced numerous technical challenges, particularly during the landing phase. However, this setback provided valuable insights and learnings for ISRO, helping them fine-tune their approach for Chandrayaan-3. The agency has implemented improvements and modifications to ensure a higher chance of success this time around. The lessons learned from Chandrayaan-2 will be instrumental in achieving the objectives of Chandrayaan-3 and furthering India's space exploration endeavors.

International Collaborations and Future Prospects
India's space sector has garnered international recognition, with the New York Times recently praising the country's achievements in the field. The successful launch and completion of Chandrayaan-3 will only strengthen India's position as a key player in space exploration. Moreover, ISRO's collaboration with other space agencies has been instrumental in sharing knowledge and resources, fostering global advancements in space science and technology.

Conclusion
As India's next moon mission, Chandrayaan-3 holds great promise for the country's space exploration aspirations. The launch of this mission on July 14 marks a significant step forward in India's pursuit of scientific knowledge and technological advancements. With its objectives centered around scientific investigations and safe landing capabilities, Chandrayaan-3 aims to expand our understanding of the moon and contribute to future space exploration endeavors. As the world eagerly watches the progress of this mission, we can anticipate exciting discoveries and achievements in the realm of lunar exploration.