India's Space Programme: Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan Explained

ISRO's Space Journey

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established on August 15, 1969. Its vision is to harness space technology for national development while pursuing planetary exploration and space science research. Over the decades, ISRO has developed indigenous launch vehicles like PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), which are crucial for launching satellites and spacecraft. These vehicles have been instrumental in placing various communication, remote sensing, and navigation satellites into orbit, supporting diverse applications from weather forecasting to disaster management. ISRO's commitment to self-reliance and cost-effective space solutions has earned it global recognition.

ISRO's journey began with humble beginnings, launching its first satellite, Aryabhata, in 1975 with Soviet assistance. The development of SLV-3, India's first experimental satellite launch vehicle, in 1979, marked a major step towards self-sufficiency. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam played a pivotal role in this project. Subsequent advancements led to the development of more powerful rockets, enabling India to launch heavier payloads and undertake complex interplanetary missions. This progression laid the groundwork for ambitious projects like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, demonstrating India's scientific and technological prowess on a global stage.

Chandrayaan Mission Series

Chandrayaan, meaning 'Moon Craft' in Sanskrit, is India's series of lunar exploration missions. Chandrayaan-1 was India's first mission to the Moon, launched on October 22, 2008, using a PSLV-XL rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The spacecraft successfully orbited the Moon and deployed the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), which made a controlled impact on the lunar surface on November 14, 2008. A key scientific achievement of Chandrayaan-1 was the discovery of water molecules on the lunar surface, confirmed by its Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument. This discovery significantly advanced our understanding of lunar geology and potential resources.

Chandrayaan-2, launched on July 22, 2019, aimed to achieve a soft landing on the lunar south pole region with a lander (Vikram) and a rover (Pragyan). While the orbiter successfully entered lunar orbit and continues to provide valuable data, the Vikram lander unfortunately hard-landed due to a software glitch, preventing the rover's deployment. Despite this setback, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter has been highly successful, mapping the lunar surface and studying its exosphere. Chandrayaan-3, launched on July 14, 2023, successfully achieved a soft landing on the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023, making India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and the first to land near the south pole. The Pragyan rover deployed from the Vikram lander explored the lunar surface for about two weeks, conducting in-situ scientific experiments.

Mangalyaan Mars Orbiter

Mangalyaan, officially known as the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), is India's first interplanetary mission. It was launched on November 5, 2013, using a PSLV-XL C25 rocket. The spacecraft successfully entered Mars orbit on September 24, 2014, making India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit and the fourth space agency globally to do so. Remarkably, ISRO achieved this feat in its very first attempt, and at a significantly lower cost compared to similar missions by other nations. The mission's primary objectives included demonstrating India's capability to design, launch, and operate an interplanetary mission, and to study the Martian surface and atmosphere.

MOM carried five scientific payloads to study the Martian surface features, morphology, mineralogy, and the Martian atmosphere. These instruments included a Mars Color Camera (MCC), Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIS), Methane Sensor for Mars (MSM), Mars Exospheric Neutral Composition Analyser (MENCA), and a Lyman Alpha Photometer (LAP). The mission was initially designed for a six-month lifespan but continued to operate for over seven years, providing valuable data and images of Mars. Its success cemented India's position as a serious player in global space exploration and inspired a new generation of scientists and engineers.

Impact and Future Missions

The success of Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan has significantly boosted India's prestige in the international space community. These missions have demonstrated ISRO's capability to execute complex deep-space missions with high reliability and cost-effectiveness. They have also inspired scientific research and technological innovation within the country, fostering a new generation of space scientists and engineers. The data collected from these missions has contributed immensely to global scientific understanding of the Moon and Mars, particularly regarding the presence of water on the Moon and the atmospheric composition of Mars.

Looking ahead, ISRO has ambitious plans for future space exploration. The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into space, marking India's human spaceflight program. Aditya-L1, India's first solar mission, was successfully launched in September 2023 to study the Sun from a halo orbit around the L1 point. Future lunar missions, including potential collaborations for sample return, and more advanced Mars missions are also on the horizon. These endeavors underscore India's commitment to pushing the boundaries of space science and technology for the benefit of humanity.

Important Keywords Explained

PSLVconcept

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. It is an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed and operated by ISRO. PSLV is known for its reliability and versatility, capable of launching satellites into various orbits, including sun-synchronous and geosynchronous transfer orbits. It has been the workhorse for ISRO, launching numerous Indian and foreign satellites, including Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan.

GSLVconcept

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. GSLV is a more powerful launch vehicle developed by ISRO, primarily used for launching heavier communication satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). It uses cryogenic upper stage technology, which is complex. GSLV Mk III (LVM3) is the latest variant, capable of launching 4-tonne class satellites to GTO and is also planned for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.

Vikram Landerconcept

Named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program, Vikram is the lunar lander component of India's Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions. Its purpose is to perform a soft landing on the lunar surface and deploy a rover. The Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander successfully landed on August 23, 2023, near the Moon's south pole.

Pragyan Roverconcept

Pragyan, meaning 'wisdom' in Sanskrit, is the robotic lunar rover component of the Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions. Designed to operate for one lunar day (approximately 14 Earth days), its role is to explore the lunar surface, collect scientific data, and transmit it to the lander. The Chandrayaan-3 Pragyan rover successfully explored the lunar south pole region.

Additional Facts & Context

• Chandrayaan-1 operated for 312 days.
• Mangalyaan (MOM) cost approximately 450 crore (US$73 million).
• Chandrayaan-3 mission cost approximately 615 crore.
• India is the first country to reach Mars orbit on its maiden attempt.
• ISRO has launched over 380 foreign satellites for 36 countries.