Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission, which was launched on July 13, 2023. It consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, which are designed to explore the south pole region of the moon. The mission aims to study the lunar surface, atmosphere, seismic activity and water ice potential in this area.
Mission duration of Chandrayaan-3
The mission duration of Chandrayaan-3 depends on the different components of the spacecraft: the orbiter, the lander and the rover. Each of them has a different lifespan and function on the moon.
Orbiter
The orbiter is the main component of Chandrayaan-3, which carries eight scientific instruments to perform various observations and measurements of the moon. The orbiter also acts as a communication relay between the lander, rover and Earth. The orbiter has a planned mission duration of at least one year, during which it will orbit the moon at an altitude of about 100 km. The orbiter will also relay data from other missions, such as NASA’s Artemis program and China’s Chang’e-5.
Lander
The lander is named Vikram, after the father of India’s space program, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. The lander carries four scientific instruments to conduct experiments on the lunar surface, such as measuring the temperature, pressure, seismic activity and plasma density. The lander also acts as a platform for deploying the rover Pragyan. The lander has a planned mission duration of 14 Earth days, which is equivalent to one lunar day. This means that the lander will stay on the moon for about two weeks, during which it will perform various scientific experiments and observations. However, it is possible that the mission could last longer if there is enough power and communication to keep the lander functioning.
Rover
The rover is named Pragyan, which means wisdom in Sanskrit. The rover is a six-wheeled vehicle that can travel up to 500 meters from the lander. The rover carries two scientific instruments: a Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and an Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), which can measure the elemental composition of the lunar soil. The rover also has cameras and sensors to capture images and data of the lunar terrain. The rover has a planned mission duration of 14 Earth days, which is equivalent to one lunar day. This means that the rover will stay on the moon for about two weeks, during which it will explore the lunar terrain and collect samples. However, it is possible that the mission could last longer if there is enough power and communication to keep the rover functioning.
Conclusion
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission, which aims to explore the south pole region of the moon. The mission consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, which have different lifespans and functions on the moon. The orbiter will continue to orbit the moon for at least one year, while the lander and rover will stay on the moon for about two weeks, unless they can extend their mission duration with sufficient power and communication. Chandrayaan-3 is a historic achievement for India and a milestone for lunar exploration.
