What are The Differences Between Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3?

India’s space program has been making remarkable strides in recent years, with missions like Chandrayaan-2 capturing global attention. Following the success of Chandrayaan-2, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced its plans for Chandrayaan-3, the next step in India’s lunar exploration journey. In this article, we will explore the differences between Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3, highlighting the advancements and objectives of each mission.

Chandrayaan-2: A Landmark Achievement

Chandrayaan-2, launched on July 22, 2019, was an ambitious mission that aimed to further India’s understanding of the Moon’s surface, composition, and evolution. The mission consisted of three components: the Orbiter, the Vikram Lander, and the Pragyan Rover.

The primary goal of Chandrayaan-2 was to make a soft landing on the lunar surface near the south pole, an unexplored region, and deploy the Pragyan Rover for in-situ analysis. While the Orbiter successfully completed its mission, the Vikram Lander, unfortunately, had a hard landing, preventing the Rover from being deployed as planned. Despite this setback, Chandrayaan-2 is still regarded as a significant achievement for ISRO, demonstrating its technological capabilities and commitment to lunar exploration.

Chandrayaan-3: Building Upon Success

Learning from the experiences of Chandrayaan-2, ISRO has been working diligently on Chandrayaan-3, aiming to rectify the issues faced during the previous mission. Chandrayaan-3 will be an entirely indigenous mission, with improvements and modifications based on the lessons learned from its predecessor.

One of the significant differences in Chandrayaan-3 is the exclusion of a Rover. This decision was made to prioritize the successful landing of the Lander on the lunar surface. By eliminating the Rover, ISRO intends to reduce complexity and focus on ensuring a smooth touchdown, thereby mitigating the risks associated with a soft landing.

Another significant enhancement in Chandrayaan-3 is the utilization of the existing Orbiter from Chandrayaan-2. The Orbiter, which remains functional and continues to orbit the Moon, will be repurposed for the upcoming mission. This strategic decision allows ISRO to maximize the potential of the existing infrastructure while minimizing costs and development time.

Chandrayaan-3 will also incorporate design modifications in the Lander to address the issues encountered during the previous mission. ISRO engineers have been meticulously working on improving the Lander’s performance and ensuring a successful landing on the lunar surface. The mission’s scientific objectives remain focused on studying the Moon’s topography, mineralogy, and exosphere in greater detail.

Conclusion:

Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 represent significant milestones in India’s lunar exploration journey. While Chandrayaan-2 made strides in the field of lunar science, Chandrayaan-3 aims to rectify the setbacks and build upon the successes of its predecessor. By learning from the challenges faced during Chandrayaan-2, ISRO has undertaken design modifications, utilized existing infrastructure, and streamlined its approach to ensure a smooth landing for Chandrayaan-3.

India’s commitment to space exploration continues to inspire the nation and the world. With each mission, ISRO pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery, technological advancement, and international collaboration. As Chandrayaan-3 prepares to take flight, anticipation grows, and hopes are high for yet another successful chapter in India’s remarkable journey to unravel the mysteries of the Moon.