India's third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, aims to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon's surface, a milestone that was not achieved in the earlier Chandrayaan-2 mission. Here’s a detailed look at the objectives of Chandrayaan-3, the countries that have achieved this task, and the technological aspects involved:

Main Task of Chandrayaan-3

Objective: Soft Landing on the Moon

• Chandrayaan-2 Mission: In the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the Vikram lander attempted a soft landing near the Moon's south pole but lost communication during the final stages of descent. The lander, along with its rover, was not able to complete a soft landing.
• Chandrayaan-3 Mission: The primary goal of Chandrayaan-3 is to successfully achieve a soft landing on the Moon. This involves a controlled descent to ensure that the lander and rover touch down gently without crashing.

Countries That Have Achieved Successful Moon Landings

**1. United States

• Apollo Program: The United States successfully landed astronauts on the Moon with the Apollo missions. Apollo 11 was the first manned Moon landing in 1969, followed by several other successful landings through Apollo 17.

**2. Soviet Union (now Russia)

• Luna Program: The Soviet Union achieved the first soft landing on the Moon with Luna 9 in 1966. They also conducted successful robotic landings with several other Luna missions.

**3. China

• Chang'e Program: China has achieved successful soft landings on the Moon with its Chang'e missions. Chang'e 3 landed on the Moon in 2013, and Chang'e 4 made a historic landing on the far side of the Moon in 2019.

System in Chandrayaan-3

**1. Lander and Rover

• Lander: The Chandrayaan-3 lander is equipped with instruments to conduct surface-based experiments, including seismometers and thermal sensors. It is designed for a soft landing and is expected to deploy the rover after landing.
• Rover: The rover carries scientific instruments to analyze the lunar soil and gather data about the Moon's surface composition, topography, and other characteristics.

**2. Propulsion and Navigation Systems

• Propulsion System: The lander is equipped with a propulsion system for controlled descent and landing. This system uses thrusters to adjust its descent trajectory and ensure a soft landing.
• Navigation and Control: Advanced navigation systems, including onboard cameras and sensors, help in determining the lander's position and speed during descent.

Virtual Launch Control Centre

Role and Function

• Monitoring and Control: The Virtual Launch Control Centre (VLCC) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) plays a crucial role in the launch and mission operations. It allows for remote monitoring and control of the spacecraft during its launch and subsequent phases.
• Real-Time Data: The VLCC provides real-time data analysis, helping engineers and scientists track the spacecraft's performance and make adjustments if needed.
• Coordination: It facilitates coordination among various teams involved in the mission, ensuring smooth communication and response during critical phases of the launch and mission operations.

Conclusion

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is focused on achieving a successful soft landing on the Moon, a feat that was not accomplished in the Chandrayaan-2 mission. The countries that have successfully achieved Moon landings include the United States, the Soviet Union (now Russia), and China. Chandrayaan-3 features advanced systems for controlled descent and surface exploration, and the Virtual Launch Control Centre at VSSC plays a vital role in monitoring and controlling the mission from launch to landing.

India's Third Moon Mission: A Leap Towards Lunar South Pole Exploration

India's third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, aims to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface and deploy a rover to explore the south polar region. This objective marks a significant advancement from its previous missions:

• Chandrayaan-1: Orbited the moon, mapping its surface and confirming the presence of water ice.
• Chandrayaan-2: Attempted a soft landing but unfortunately, the lander crashed due to a technical malfunction.

Only three countries have achieved a soft landing on the lunar surface:

1. United States: First to land on the moon with the Apollo missions.
2. Soviet Union: First to perform a soft landing on the moon with Luna 9.
3. China: First to successfully land on the moon's far side with Chang'e-4.

Chandrayaan-3's System:

The spacecraft consists of a propulsion module, a lander (Vikram), and a rover (Pragyan).

• Propulsion Module: Provides the initial propulsion for the journey to the moon and then detaches, leaving the lander to descend independently.
• Lander: Equipped with various sensors and cameras to analyze the lunar surface during descent and landing. It also carries the rover.
• Rover: Designed to traverse the lunar surface, taking pictures, analyzing the composition of the soil, and conducting experiments.

Role of the 'Virtual Launch Control Centre':

The 'Virtual Launch Control Centre' (VLCC) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram played a crucial role in the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 from Sriharikota.

• Remote Monitoring & Control: The VLCC served as a backup control centre, remotely monitoring and controlling the launch vehicle during critical phases, including the initial liftoff and separation of the payload.
• Real-time Data Analysis: The VLCC provided real-time data analysis and support to the main control center at Sriharikota, ensuring a smooth launch process.
• Contingency Planning: In case of any unforeseen issues, the VLCC was equipped to take over the launch operations, minimizing risks and ensuring mission success.

Chandrayaan-3's mission is a testament to India's growing prowess in space exploration. The successful landing on the moon's south pole will provide invaluable insights into the region's geological history, potential resources, and its role in understanding the origin and evolution of the moon.

The main task of India's third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, is to demonstrate a soft landing on the lunar surface, which could not be achieved in its earlier mission, Chandrayaan-2, in 2019. Chandrayaan-2's lander, Vikram, crashed on the moon's surface due to a technical glitch.

Soft landing on the moon's surface is a complex task that only a few countries have achieved:

1. Soviet Union (USSR): Successfully landed Luna 9 in 1966
2. United States: Successfully landed Apollo 11 in 1969
3. China: Successfully landed Chang'e 3 in 2013
4. Israel: Successfully landed Beresheet in 2019 (although it crashed due to a technical malfunction)

Chandrayaan-3 is equipped with a new system called the "Lander Vikram", which includes a lunar lander and a rover named "Pragyan". The lander is designed to perform a soft landing on the moon's surface, and the rover will conduct scientific experiments.

The "Virtual Launch Control Centre" at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) played a crucial role in the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 from Sriharikota. The Virtual Launch Control Centre is a state-of-the-art facility that enables remote monitoring and control of the launch vehicle from anywhere. It uses advanced software and communication networks to simulate the launch sequence, allowing scientists to test and validate the launch process before the actual launch.

During the launch, the Virtual Launch Control Centre provided real-time data and feedback to the launch team, enabling them to monitor the performance of the launch vehicle and make any necessary adjustments. This centre also facilitated collaboration and communication among the teams involved in the launch, ensuring a smooth and successful mission.

The Virtual Launch Control Centre's role was significant in the following ways:

1. Real-time monitoring: It enabled real-time monitoring of the launch vehicle's performance, allowing the team to detect and respond to any anomalies.
2. Simulation and testing: It facilitated simulation and testing of the launch sequence, helping to identify and rectify any issues before the actual launch.
3. Collaboration and communication: It enabled seamless collaboration and communication among the teams involved in the launch, ensuring a coordinated effort.
4. Data analysis: It provided a platform for data analysis and interpretation, helping scientists to understand the performance of the launch vehicle and make improvements for future missions.

Overall, the Virtual Launch Control Centre's contribution was instrumental in the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 and will continue to play a vital role in India's space exploration programs.