Chandrayaan-2

The Chandrayaan-2 was arguably one of the most questioned about among all three chandrayaan missions till date.

Due to the mishap in last few moments of it's soft landing attempt; many questions started floating accross around the mission, ISRO, and India's space programs.

Such as

1. What is current status of Chandrayaan-2?

2. What was different in Chandrayaan-2 and moon missions by other agencies?

4. What was the difference between Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2?

5. Did Chandrayaan-2 find water on the Moon?

6. What happened to the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-2?

7. Is Chandrayaan-2 still active?

8. What instruments are onboard the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter?

9. What is the significance of exploring the Moon's south pole?

10. How did Chandrayaan-2 contribute to lunar science?

11. What were the challenges faced during the Chandrayaan-2 mission?

12. What are the future plans by ISRO after Chandrayaan-2 crash?

13. Did Chandrayaan-2 benefit India and global space research?

14. What were the scientific findings from the Chandrayaan-2?

15. What are the lessons learned from the Chandrayaan-2 mission for future lunar missions?

We hope the following information would help us to navigate though the answer to various such questions regarding Chandrayaan-2.

Introduction:

Chandrayaan-2, a significant lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), aimed to build upon the successes of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-1. Launched in 2019, this mission comprised an orbiter, a lander, and a rover, with the primary goal of enhancing our understanding of the Moon's composition, geology, and potential resources.

Mission Type: It consists of an orbiter, a lander, and a rover. making it a comprehensive lunar exploration mission.

Orbiter: Planned for approximately 7.5 years; currently served 3 years, 11 months, 29 days.

Vikram Lander: Planned for up to 14 days, but couldn't manage a soft landing on the lunar south pole.

Pragyan Rover: Also planned for up to 14 days but was not deployed.

Spacecraft Properties:

Manufacturer: ISRO

Launch Mass:

  - Combined (wet): 3,850 kg.

  - Combined (dry): 1,308 kg.

  - Orbiter (wet): 2,379 kg.

  - Orbiter (dry): 682 kg.

  - Vikram lander (wet): 1,471 kg.

  - Vikram lander (dry): 626 kg.

  - Pragyan rover: 27 kg.

Power:

  - Orbiter: 1000 watts.

  - Vikram lander: 650 watts.

  - Pragyan rover: 50 watts.

Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad.

Landing Site: Intended near-Lunar south pole but ended up at the crash site (now entitled as 'Tiranga Point') at approximately 70.8810°S, 22.7840°E, between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters.

What were the mission Objectives of Chandrayaan-2?

The Chandrayaan-2 mission had it's primary objective as exploration of lunar south pole. It was designed with the following primary objectives:

1. Lunar Surface Exploration: Chandrayaan-2 aimed to explore the Moon's surface in detail by deploying a lander and rover to study its geology, morphology, and features.

2. Lunar Orbital Observations: The mission intended to conduct comprehensive remote sensing of the Moon using the orbiter's instruments, enhancing our knowledge of its mineral composition and terrain.

3. Discover Water Ice: Chandrayaan-2 aimed to analyze the presence of water ice on the Moon's south polar region, which could have significant implications for future lunar exploration and potential resource utilization.

How many components were there in  Chandrayaan-2?

1. Orbiter: The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, equipped with scientific instruments, was designed to study the lunar surface from orbit. It carried spectrometers, cameras, and other sensors to gather data about the Moon's mineralogy, topography, and exosphere.

2. Vikram Lander: Named after Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space program, the lander was designed to perform a controlled descent and make a soft landing near the Moon's south pole. It carried the Pragyan rover and scientific instruments to analyze the lunar surface.

3. Pragyan Rover: Housed within the Vikram lander, the Pragyan rover was intended to explore the Moon's surface, analyze soil samples, and perform experiments to understand its composition and characteristics.

What was the mission Timeline of Chandrayaan-2?

22 July 2019: Launched into space aboard the GSLV Mk III-M1 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

6 September 2019: The Vikram lander, carrying the Pragyan rover, separated from the orbiter and begins its descent towards the lunar surface.

7 September 2019: During the final stages of its descent, the Vikram lander loses communication and experiences a hard landing on the Moon's surface.

8 September 2019: ISRO officially confirms the loss of communication with the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover, marking a setback in the mission.

What was the significance of mission Chandrayaan-2?

 

Scientific: Despite the lander's unfortunate landing, the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter continued its mission, successfully capturing data and images from lunar orbit. The orbiter's instruments provided valuable insights into the Moon's composition, surface features, and potential water ice presence, contributing to our understanding of lunar science.

Also, the detailed study of crash event of vikram lander of CH-2 helps to improve the simmilar missions of the future.

Legacy: While the Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges with the Vikram lander's landing, it demonstrated India's advancements in space technology and its commitment to lunar exploration. The mission showcased ISRO's ability to design and operate complex space missions. Despite the partial success, Chandrayaan-2 serves as a stepping stone for India's future endeavors in space exploration and scientific discovery.

Orbitter still alive and continues to serve: The successful positioning of orbiter from Chandrayan-2 proves to be an important  resource for the ISRO in the planning and strategic improvements for mission Chandrayaan-3. They excluded the orbiter this time, they got an additional payload capacity to Chandrayaan-3. The CH-2 orbiter established communication with the lander of CH-3 once it came to the lunar orbit and then started seving it's part again in mission Chandrayan-3. 

Also as it continues to operate in lunar orbit, even after completion of mission Chandrayaan-3, it may keep contributing even further as long as it's lifespan and help ongoing research and collaboration with the global space community. 

More to read: 

Overview of Chandrayaan missions

Chandrayaan-1

Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-1

What is Chandrayaan-1?

The Chandrayaan-1 mission, undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), represented a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavors. Launched in 2008, the mission aimed to explore the Moon and gather valuable scientific data to enhance our understanding of Earth's closest celestial neighbor.

Mission Type: Lunar Orbiter

Organization: ISRO

Mission Duration: 10 months, 6 days

Launch Mass: 1,380 kg (3,040 lb)

Dry Mass: 560 kg (1,230 lb)

Payload Mass: 105 kg (231 lb)

Rocket: PSLV-XL C11

Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

What were the mission Objectives of Chandrayaan-1?

Lunar Remote Sensing: Chandrayaan-1 aimed to conduct remote sensing of the Moon's surface and map its mineral composition, providing insights into the Moon's geological evolution.

Discover Water Molecules: One of the mission's most important goals was to determine the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface. This discovery would have significant implications for our understanding of the Moon's history and potential resources.

High-Resolution Imaging: The mission intended to capture high-resolution images of the lunar surface, allowing scientists to study craters, valleys, and other features in detail.

Mapping Topography: Chandrayaan-1 aimed to map the topography of the Moon's surface, helping researchers gain a comprehensive view of its landscape.

X-ray Spectroscopy: The mission sought to analyze the composition of the lunar surface using X-ray spectroscopy, which would provide insights into the distribution of elements.

What was the mission timeline of Chandrayan-1?

2003: The mission was initiated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) with the aim of exploring the Moon.

2008: Chandrayaan-1 was launched into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 22 October .

November 2008: The Moon Impact Probe (MIP) released from Chandrayaan-1 to impact the lunar surface, marking India's first contact with the Moon.

Also, Chandrayaan-1 entered lunar orbit, positioning itself to begin further scientific observations.

21 November 2008: The MIP sent back images of the Moon's surface.

25 August 2009: Chandrayaan-1's Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) captured images of the lunar surface.

31 August 2009: MIP identified the presence of water molecules on the Moon's surface.

28 August 2009: The MIP collides with the lunar surface.

29 August 2009: ISRO officially concluded its mission.

2017: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory confirms the discovery of Chandrayaan-1's remains in lunar orbit, marking its continued presence even after communication was lost.

What was the significance of Chandrayaan-1?

Scientific: The Chandrayaan-1 mission yielded significant scientific findings that expanded our knowledge of the Moon. The discovery of water molecules on the lunar surface provided crucial insights into the Moon's history and potential for future exploration. The high-resolution images and topographical data gathered by Chandrayaan-1 contributed to a more detailed understanding of the Moon's surface features and geological formations.

Legacy: The Chandrayaan-1 mission showcased India's capabilities in space technology and research. It demonstrated ISRO's ability to design, launch, and operate complex missions beyond Earth's atmosphere. The mission's success bolstered India's reputation in the global space community and paved the way for subsequent lunar and interplanetary missions. Chandrayaan-1's contribution to lunar science underscores the importance of international collaboration and continuous exploration for unraveling the mysteries of our cosmic neighborhood.

More to read: 

Overview of Chandrayaan missions

Chandrayaan-2

Chandrayaan-3

What is overview of India's Chandrayaan Programme?

The Chandrayaan programme, initiated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), represents a significant series of space missions aimed at exploring the Moon. Consisting of lunar orbiters, impactors, soft landers, and rovers, this programme has the primary objective of advancing lunar exploration and scientific research. The latest milestone in this programme is the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface, marking a historic achievement for India's space endeavors.

Program Overview :

Country: India

Organization: ISRO

Purpose: Exploration of the Moon

Status: Active

History of the Chandrayaan programme?

Duration: 2003–present (Ongoing)

Cost: ₹1,364 crore (US$170 million)

*The ammount comprises of the combined cost of 3 launches accomplished so far.

First Flight: Chandrayaan-1, launched on 22 October 2008

Last Flight: Chandrayaan-3, launched on 14 July 2023

Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

Vehicle Information:

Launch Vehicle: PSLV-C47

Accomplishments of the three Chandrayaan missions?

1. Chandrayaan-1: Launched on 22 October 2008, Chandrayaan-1 was India's first lunar probe. It successfully executed its mission and helped discover water molecules on the lunar surface.

2. Chandrayaan-2: Launched on 22 July 2019, this mission comprised an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover named Pragyan. While the orbiter successfully entered lunar orbit and continues to provide valuable data, the Vikram lander encountered a hard landing on the Moon's surface, resulting in the loss of the Pragyan rover.

3. Chandrayaan-3: Launched on 14 July 2023, Chandrayaan-3 was a subsequent attempt to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon's surface. This mission aimed to correct the setbacks experienced during Chandrayaan-2. On 23 August 2023, Chandrayaan-3 successfully achieved its mission objective by landing on the lunar surface, specifically in the south pole region.

Chandrayaan-3's successful landing on the Moon's south pole region is a monumental achievement for India's space exploration efforts. This success makes India the fourth country in the world to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon, following the Soviet Union, the United States, and China. And first ever to land on the lunar south pole. The south pole region is of particular scientific interest due to its potential water ice deposits and unique geological features.

What is the statement made by success of chandrayan mission?

The Chandrayaan programme stands as a testament to India's growing prowess in space exploration. Despite challenges faced in previous missions, the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 has not only contributed to the nation's scientific knowledge but has also showcased India's determination to advance its space capabilities and expand human understanding of the Moon. This achievement solidifies India's position as a prominent player in the global space community and paves the way for further exploration and discovery in the future.

More to read: 

Chandrayaan-1

Chandrayaan-2

Chandrayaan-3