What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the Virtual Launch Control Centre at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (15 M, 250 Words)

India’s third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, embarked on a quest to achieve a pivotal objective that eluded its predecessors. Unlike Chandrayaan-2, which faced challenges during its soft landing attempt on the lunar surface, the primary aim of Chandrayaan-3 is to successfully execute a soft landing on the Moon. This critical task remained unaccomplished in the previous mission, underscoring the significance of this endeavor for India’s space exploration ambitions. Several countries have achieved this feat, including the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China, marking a notable milestone in their space exploration endeavors.

Chandrayaan-3’s spacecraft is equipped with various subsystems essential for its mission. These include the propulsion system for trajectory corrections and lunar orbit insertion, navigation and guidance systems for precise positioning, communication systems for transmitting data back to Earth, and the landing system crucial for the delicate touchdown on the lunar surface. Each subsystem plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the mission, emphasizing the intricate interplay of technology and engineering required for space exploration.

The Virtual Launch Control Centre at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre played a pivotal role in orchestrating the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 from Sriharikota. This advanced facility leverages cutting-edge technology to monitor and manage every aspect of the launch process remotely. From pre-launch preparations to real-time monitoring of the spacecraft’s trajectory, the Virtual Launch Control Centre provides a centralized command and control hub for mission operators. Its sophisticated systems enable seamless coordination and decision-making, contributing significantly to the precision and efficiency of the launch operations. By harnessing the capabilities of this state-of-the-art facility, India’s space agency achieved a crucial milestone in its lunar exploration journey, reaffirming its position as a formidable player in the global space arena.

Answer:      

Introduction:      

In 2023, India became the 4th nation to achieve a soft landing on the lunar South Pole  in its 3rd moon mission Chandrayaan-3 becoming first country in the world to achieve soft landing in southern pole of the moon.It showcased India’s technological capabilities and also contributed significantly to lunar research, especially in confirming the presence of water ice. 

• Body:     

Main task of Chandrayaan-3, which could not be achieved in earlier mission is as follows:- 

1. Successful soft landing- Chandrayaan 2’s Vikram Lander in 2019 had failed in this aspect to phase transition from horizontal to vertical descent which is also termed as “15 min horror” 
2. Lunar South Pole Exploration in search of water ice in shadowed craters. 
3. Pragyan Rover deployment in order to conduct surface exploration. 

Countries that have achieved this task:- 

The spacecraft carried the following subsystems :-   

1. Orbiter- Chandrayaan-3 was launched aboard an LVM3-M4 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. 
2. Lander- The Vikram lander aboard Chandrayaan-3 lander touched down at the uncharted lunar South Pole on August 23 after a 40-day journey through space.
3. Rover- The 26-kg, six-wheeled, solar-powered rover Pragyan is equipped to use its scientific instruments to record what the lunar soil and rocks are made of in the south polar region. 
4. Communication system- ISRO used MOX ( Mission operation complex) . The MOX is located at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and command network (ISTRAC). 
5. Navigation and guidance system- also called as Navigation, Guidance and Control (NGC): Powered Descent Trajectory design and associate software elements. 
6. Power system-Use of solar power to make the Rover functional for 1 lunar day (14 earth days). 
7. Scientific instruments-  Ex- Like SHAPE ( to find exoplanets inhabitable zones like earth),RAMBHA (to measure the near surface plasma density),ILSA(to measure sesame city around the landing site and delineate the structure of moon crust and mantle), LIBS(to derive the chemical composition of the moon surface, using quantitative and qualitative elemental analysis).etc 

Role of virtual launch control centre– The Satish Dhawan space centre in  Sriharikota, serves as the physical on site and is final, launch command centre, While remote system checkout was conducted from the virtual launch control centre  located at Tumpa. 

1. Central Control :- The Virtual Launch Control Centre (VLCC) serves as the nerve centre during the launch, overseeing all operations. 
2. Real-time Monitoring:-  It provides real-time data and visuals of the launch, ensuring that all parameters are within the desired range. 
3. Data Analysis: It collected and analysed data from various sensors and instruments on both the launch vehicle and the spacecraft, ensuring that all systems were functioning correctly. 
4. Problem Resolution: In the event of any anomalies or technical issues, the Virtual Launch Control Centre would have been instrumental in diagnosing problems and formulating solutions to ensure a successful launch. 
5. Decision-Making: It played a crucial role in decision-making during critical phases of the launch, such as assessing weather conditions and making adjustments to the launch schedule if necessary. 
6. Overall Management: It provided oversight and management of the entire launch operation, ensuring that all components of the mission were integrated and synchronised for a successful soft landing on the Moon’s South Pole 

Conclusion:     

Hence, as India continues its journey in space exploration with projects like AdityaL1 NISAR, Gayanyaan-3 etc , it is essential to learn from past missions like Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 and innovate for the future. Collaborative efforts, technological advancements, and international cooperation will pave the way for more successful missions. 

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