Chandrayaan 2

Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second unmanned lunar mission. It is the 1^st Indian expedition to attempt a soft landing on moon with indigenous technology.

The main aim of the Chandrayaan-2 mission was to conduct a detailed study of moon for a better understanding of its origin and evolution.

It sought to soft land on the lunar South Pole, in a highland between two craters –Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of 70◦S.

However, the landing probe, Vikram deviated from its trajectory and crashed.

Chandrayaan-2 was launched aboard a GSLV Mark III rocket touted as the most powerful rocket built by ISRO. It was launched into an Earth Parking Orbit.

• The GSLV Mk-III is a geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle developed by ISRO. It is the heaviest rocket ever made by India.
• It has 3 stages with two solid motor strap-onus, a liquid propellant core stage, and a cryogenic stage.
• It is India’s first fully functional rocket to be tested with indigenous cryogenic engine. It uses liquid propellants (liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen).
• It has been designed to carry 4-tonne class satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Chandrayaan-2: Payloads and objectives

Chandrayaan – 2 comprised of an a) Orbiter, b) Lander named ‘Vikram’ and c) Rover named ‘Pragyan’

Chandrayaan-2 : Significance

• Aim was to land on Lunar South Pole: To understand the origin and evolution of the Moon.
• Quest for Water: To study the extent of distribution of water on the lunar surface and sub-surface. To probe presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around the South Pole.
• Insights on Early solar system: The south polar region of the moon has craters that are cold traps. These cold traps contain fossilised record of the early Solar System.
• Test bed for deep space missions: According to scientists, moon has the potential to act as a test bed to demonstrate technologies required for deep-space missions.
• Base for manned missions: Chandrayaan 2 may explore a large cave whose pictures were taken by Chandrayaan 1. The cave could be a potential site for human habitability on moon for future manned missions.
• GSLV Mk-III put to the test ahead of Gaganyaan Mission: The successful launch of Chandrayaan-2 using the GSLV Mk-III highlighted the strength, accuracy and reliability of the rocket. The GSLV Mk-III has been modified to fit a crew module and life support to carry astronauts to space through Gaganyaan.
• Boost to other PLANEX missions: The success of Chandrayaan 2 mission will be a crucial step in India’s future planetary explorations under the Planetary Science and Exploration (PLANEX). ISRO has planned several interplanetary missions such as the Shukrayaan-1 (Mission to Venus), Mangalyaan-2 (Mars Orbiter Mission-2).
• Boost to ‘Make in India’: The Chandrayaan-2 is a completely indigenous mission. The mission has strengthened the links between ISRO and the private industry.
• Revenue: The success of Chandrayaan 2 using GSLV MK III will help India earn foreign exchange. India can provide a low cost alternative to launch space satellites of other countries.
• Putting India into the elite space club: Chandrayaan 2 has lifted India’s image as one of the leaders in space exploration. The mission has demonstrated ISRO’s capability in manufacturing and using powerful rockets, and successfully conduct complex space missions.
• International Collaboration: It will help in boosting international space exploration partnerships. It will also encourage other sectors (life sciences, telecommunication) to collaborate with space sector for joint research and development.
• Inspiration to the Indian youth: Chandrayaan 2 has kindled scientific temper and inspiration among the India youth. It has also motivated a future generation of scientists and explorers.

Race to the Moon:

• USA: The NASA has announced ARTEMIS Mission to be launched in 2024. ARTEMIS stands for Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s Interaction with the Sun. The mission plans to take astronauts to moon, establish lunar outpost and investigate Moon’s resources.
• RUSSIA: Russia has planned to launch Luna -25 lander in 2023 and Luna-26 orbiter in 2027.
• CHINA: After the successful Chang’e 5 mission, China has planned to launch Change-6 in 2025.China’s second same return mission. China also has made plans to establish research base and buildings on moon using 3D printing.
• INDIA: India in collaboration with Japan’s space agency JAXA, has planned Chandrayaan-3 in 2023. It will send lunar lander and rover to study South polar region of the moon.
• SPACE-X: Space X founder, Elon Musk has planned to build a base in Moon.
• BLUE ORIGIN: Founder of Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos, is working on a spacecraft Blue Moon. It aims to transport equipment and humans to Moon by 2024.

Chandrayaan 2: Learnings

• Capabilities of Indian Space Technology: Demonstrated India’s ability to undertake complex space missions in hostile environments.
• Need for more investment: Despite the success of the orbiter and rover, lander encountered difficulties. It is important to develop advanced spacecraft design, equipment and technology with more budget allocation.
• Strengthen partnerships and collaborations: To leverage the expertise, resources and technological knowhow from other countries.
• Planning and risk management: Need to ensure sophisticated planning and risk mitigation strategies to deal with unforeseen events.
• Inspiration to future generations: The mission inspired the young minds and pushed the government to invest more in the space sector.