India embarks on it’s third moon mission, targeting first-ever landing near the untouched south pole.
At 2.35 pm on July 14, India’s Chandrayaan-3 was launched onboard a Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) rocket from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission marks India’s second endeavor at deploying robotic instruments on the moon’s surface, following the unsuccessful attempt by Chandrayaan-2 in 2019. So far, only Russia, China and the U.S. have achieved successful soft landings on the lunar body.
The Lunar lander is scheduled to arrive at the moon between 23rd and 24th August.
Countdown Begins: Chandrayaan-3’s critical 42-day journey towards the moon
ISRO chairman S. Somanath highlights the crucial 42-Day period following Chandrayaan-3’s successful launch. He stated that as per the nominal program, Chandrayaan-3 will undergo five earth-bound maneuvers which will conclude on July 31.
On August 1, the mission will undergo trans-lunar insertion followed by moon capture. By August 17, the propulsion module and lander module will be separated, leading to the planned landing of the lander module on August 23 at 5.47 pm.
According to Mr. Somanath, the data from the Chandrayaan-2 crash has been thoroughly collected and analyzed, aiding in the identification and rectification of all the errors in the current mission.
Prime Minister Modi has praised the success of Chandrayaan-3, recognizing it as a significant milestone in India’s space program that has elevated the aspirations and hopes of every Indian. The accomplishment stands as evidence to the scientists’ unwavering commitment and unflagging devotion. Modi has also expressed his admiration for their innovative spirit and resourcefulness.
According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, the triumphant launch of Chandrayaan-3 will provide a fillip to space startups and entrepreneurs. He also stated that out of the total 424 foreign satellites launched by India till date, 389 of them were launched during the last nine years when Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed the government.
Fawad Chaudhry, former Pakistani Minister of Science and Technology, has garnered attention with his viral video mocking India’s moon mission, suggesting that “going to great lengths for Moon sightings” is unnecessary.
India’s thriving Space Tech Sector draws global attention and Investor Interest
With its rapid advancements and innovations, India’s space technology has become one of the most sought-after sectors for investors, which has also gained global attention. During his recent trip to the US, Prime Minister Modi discussed the space economy with President Joe Biden, and both leaders expressed interest in strengthening collaboration in this field. Apart from the proposed moon and Mars missions, ISRO has also put forward a plan to launch an orbiter to Venus, indicating that India’s space aspirations extend beyond these two planets.
