A year to Chandrayaan-3 launch: All that India’s mighty mission achieved

July 14 marks the one-year anniversary of India’s groundbreaking Chandrayaan-3 mission launch, a milestone that catapulted the nation into an elite group of countries capable of soft-landing on the Moon.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the mission on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, setting the stage for a series of remarkable achievements.

Chandrayaan-3’s journey to the Moon’s south polar region was marked by precision and innovation.

HOW INDIA TOUCHED THE MOON
After a month-long voyage, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit on August 5, 2023. The mission’s crowning moment came on August 23, when the Vikram lander touched down near the lunar south pole, making India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to do so in this challenging region.

The successful landing was followed by the deployment of the Pragyan rover, which embarked on its exploration of the lunar surface. Over the next two weeks, Pragyan covered approximately 100 meters, conducting various experiments and sending valuable data back to Earth.

The rover’s findings have provided crucial insights into the Moon’s composition, including the detection of sulfur and other elements in the lunar soil.

One of the mission’s most significant discoveries was the confirmation of the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface. This finding has enormous implications for future lunar exploration and potential human settlements on the Moon. The data collected by Chandrayaan-3 has also contributed to our understanding of the Moon’s geological history and the processes that shaped its polar regions.

IT WAS MORE THAN SCIENCE
The mission’s success extended beyond its scientific achievements. Chandrayaan-3 captured the imagination of millions around the world, with its landing being watched live by an estimated 70 million viewers in India alone.

The mission has inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers, boosting interest in space exploration and STEM fields across the country.

Chandrayaan-3 has not only expanded our knowledge of the Moon but has also demonstrated India’s growing capabilities in space exploration. This mission has laid the groundwork for future lunar and interplanetary missions.

As India celebrates this milestone, plans are already underway for future missions, including potential sample return missions and further exploration of the lunar south pole.

The success of Chandrayaan-3 has positioned India as a key player in the global space community, opening doors for international collaborations and cementing its role in shaping the future of space exploration.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission stands as a validation to India’s scientific prowess and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. As we reflect on the achievements of the past year, the mission continues to inspire and pave the way for new discoveries in our ongoing quest to understand the cosmos.