Chandrayaan Flashcards
Chandrayaan-1: Mission Overview
India’s first lunar probe, launched by ISRO on October 22, 2008, to study the Moon’s surface and mineral composition.
Key Discovery of Chandrayaan-1
Confirmed the presence of water molecules on the Moon’s surface using NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3).
Chandrayaan-1: Instruments
Carried 11 scientific instruments, including M3, a Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC), and a Mini-SAR radar to detect water ice.
End of Chandrayaan-1 Mission
Lost communication on August 29, 2009, after operating for nearly 10 months, shorter than its planned 2-year mission.
Chandrayaan-2: Mission Overview
India’s second lunar exploration mission, launched on July 22, 2019, aimed to study the Moon’s south pole region.
Chandrayaan-2: Components
Consisted of an orbiter, a lander (Vikram), and a rover (Pragyan), designed for soft landing and surface exploration.
Chandrayaan-2: Orbiter Success
The orbiter continues to function, providing valuable lunar data with instruments like the Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR).
Chandrayaan-2: Vikram Lander Failure
Lost communication on September 6, 2019, during its final descent, preventing a soft landing.
Chandrayaan-3: Mission Overview
India’s third lunar mission, launched on July 14, 2023, with the goal of achieving a successful soft landing on the Moon.
Chandrayaan-3: Components
Consisted of a propulsion module, a Vikram lander, and a Pragyan rover, but without an orbiter (as Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter was still operational).
Chandrayaan-3: Historic Landing
Successfully landed near the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, making India the first country to land near this region.
Pragyan Rover: Function
A six-wheeled robotic rover deployed from Vikram lander to conduct experiments and analyze lunar soil composition.
Chandrayaan-3: Key Discoveries
Detected sulfur, oxygen, and other elements on the Moon’s surface using the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS).
Significance of Lunar South Pole Landing
The south pole is a key target for future lunar exploration due to potential water ice deposits and scientific research opportunities.
Chandrayaan-3: Mission Success
Marked India’s first successful lunar soft landing, positioning ISRO among elite space agencies (NASA, CNSA, Roscosmos).
Chandrayaan-4: Mission Overview
India’s planned lunar sample return mission, aiming to collect and return lunar soil samples to Earth for scientific analysis.
Chandrayaan-4: Mission Objectives
- Perform a soft landing on the Moon.\n- Collect and store lunar samples.\n- Execute docking in lunar orbit.\n- Return and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere safely.
Chandrayaan-4: Mission Architecture
Involves five modules launched via two LVM3 rockets:\n1. First Launch: Lander & Ascender Module.\n2. Second Launch: Transfer, Re-entry & Propulsion Modules.
Chandrayaan-4: Landing Site
Planned near ‘Statio Shiv Shakti,’ the Chandrayaan-3 landing site, in the lunar south pole region.
Chandrayaan-4: Technological Innovations
- Robotic arms for sample collection.\n- Sample storage mechanisms.\n- In-orbit docking capability.\n- Deep space communication improvements.
Chandrayaan-4: Mission Timeline
- 2023: Mission plan revealed.\n- 2024: Design phase completed.\n- 2025: Technology development.\n- 2028: Targeted launch year.
Chandrayaan-4: Significance
- Advances India’s space tech capabilities.\n- Prepares for future crewed lunar missions.\n- Enhances understanding of the Moon through sample analysis.
Comparison of Chandrayaan-1, 2, 3, and 4
Chandrayaan-1 mapped water molecules, Chandrayaan-2 attempted a landing, Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed, and Chandrayaan-4 aims for a sample return.
