India Etches Its Name in History As the First Nation To Conquer the Southern Lunar Frontier

It was on July 14, 2023 that India's space endeavors took a giant leap when Chandrayaan-3 mission prepared to launch. Departing from the Sriharikota space station in Andhra Pradesh, this mission marked a pivotal moment in India's space journey. Chandrayaan-3 covered an astonishing distance of 3.84 lakh km on its independent journey. The pivotal moment came when Vikram lander made a soft landing on the Moon on August 23. The chosen landing site, the moon's south pole region, holds unique promise due to its larger size and the potential presence of water in shadowed areas. This is the first time a country has ever reached the south pole of the moon. The decision to launch in July stems from the proximity of Earth and the moon during this period, amplifying the mission's chances of success. Notably, Chandrayaan-3 comes with a modest price tag of under Rs 615 crore or $75 million, showcasing that innovation thrives regardless of budget constraints. The launch vehicle, a 43.5-meter-tall rocket nicknamed 'Fat boy' LVM3-M4, comprises three modules - propulsion, lander, and rover - and features advanced technologies including a cryogenic engine. Upon liftoff, the rocket released the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, which then completed multiple elliptical cycles around the Earth before embarking on a month-long lunar journey. The propulsion module, along with the lander then reached the moon's orbit, a feat in itself! The lander module, after touching down, will deploy various payloads including RAMBHA-LP, ChaSTE, and ILSA to measure plasma density, thermal properties, and seismic activity, respectively. The rover, with a 14-day mission life, will further analyze lunar composition using instruments like APXS and LIBS. Chandrayaan-3 is poised to captivate the world with its scientific endeavors, marking a significant step forward in India's space exploration saga.