India has achieved two remarkable feats in its space exploration program in the span of a week. After becoming the first nation to land a craft near the Moon’s south pole, it is now gearing up to launch a satellite to study the Sun.
Chandrayaan-3: A Historic Lunar Landing
On August 23, India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, successfully landed its Vikram lander and Pragyan rover near the lunar south pole, a region that has not been explored by any other country before. The landing was hailed as a milestone for India’s space program, which has been pursuing low-cost but high-impact missions.
The lander and rover are expected to operate for one lunar day, which is equivalent to 14 Earth days. They will conduct various experiments and observations on the lunar surface, such as measuring the temperature, seismic activity, soil composition, and water ice deposits. They will also send back high-resolution images and data to Earth.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a follow-up to Chandrayaan-2, which attempted a similar landing in 2019 but failed due to a technical glitch. The orbiter of Chandrayaan-2, however, continues to orbit the Moon and provide valuable information.
India is only the fourth country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the former Soviet Union, the US, and China. It is also the first country to land on the far side of the Moon, which faces away from Earth and is more rugged and cratered than the near side.
Aditya-L1: A Solar Observatory in Space
As Chandrayaan-3 continues its lunar exploration, India is preparing for another ambitious mission: Aditya-L1, the country’s first space-based observatory to study the Sun. The launch of Aditya-L1 is scheduled for September 2 from Sriharikota, using the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV-XL).
Aditya-L1 will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1), which is a point of gravitational equilibrium between the Sun and Earth. This will allow the satellite to have a continuous view of the Sun without any interference from Earth or the Moon.
The satellite will carry seven payloads to observe different aspects of the Sun, such as its outermost layers, magnetic fields, solar wind, flares, coronal mass ejections, and space weather. These observations will help scientists understand the dynamics of the Sun and its impact on Earth and other planets.
Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar mission, but not the first in the world. NASA and ESA have previously launched orbiters to study the Sun, such as Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter. However, Aditya-L1 will have some unique advantages, such as being able to observe both visible and ultraviolet light from the Sun.
India’s Space Vision
India’s space program has been growing steadily since it launched its first satellite in 1975. It has achieved several milestones in recent years, such as sending an orbiter to Mars in 2014, launching more than 100 satellites in one go in 2017, and testing an anti-satellite weapon in 2019.
India’s space agency ISRO has a vision of becoming a global leader in space exploration and technology. It has several future missions planned, such as sending humans to space by 2024, launching a joint mission with Japan to explore the Moon by 2025, and sending an orbiter to Venus by 2026.
India’s space endeavors are driven by scientific curiosity as well as strategic interests. The country aims to use space for peaceful purposes and for enhancing its national security and development. It also seeks to collaborate with other countries and international organizations for mutual benefit and cooperation.
India’s space achievements are also a source of pride and inspiration for its people. They showcase the country’s scientific prowess and innovation potential. They also reflect India’s aspiration to be a major player in the global arena.