India's Chandrayaan-3, a significant lunar exploration endeavour, is entering its critical last phase today, aiming to land on the lunar surface a little after 6 pm. According to ISRO, as of August 22, the mission is on schedule and its live telecast will begin on Wednesday at 5:20 pm.
A 'soft landing' by the Lander on the Moon's south pole will set India apart, making it the only country to achieve this feat. Following the landing, the rover, a small vehicle designed for lunar movement, will emerge from the Lander and explore the unexplored territory of the moon.
Post-Landing Exploration:
Spacecraft often carry instruments and experiments, known as payloads, to observe and record space phenomena. These payloads collect data, which is then analysed by scientists on Earth. Chandrayaan-3 also has six payloads on it which will conduct groundbreaking experiments over the 14-day mission.
Chandrayaan-3 comprises three types of payloads — Lander, Rover, and Propulsion Module, each serving distinct purposes.
Lander Payloads:
RAMBHA: Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere will measure near-surface plasma density and its changes.
ChaSTE: Chandra's Surface Thermo-physical Experiment will gauge the thermal properties of the lunar surface near the polar region.
ILSA: Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity aims to study seismicity, lunar crust, and mantle structure.
Rover Payloads:
APXS: Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer will analyze chemical and mineralogical composition for understanding the lunar surface.
LIBS: Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope will determine the elemental composition of lunar soil and landing site.
Propulsion Module Payload:
SHAPE: Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth will study Earth's spectropolarimeter signatures in the near-infrared range, potentially aiding in the search for life on exoplanets.
Chandrayaan-3 is poised to unlock new insights about the Moon's secrets through these sophisticated payloads after it successfully soft-landing.