National Space Day: How Chandrayaan-3 shaped India’s aerospace cred & our knowledge of the Moon

Aug. 23, 2024, 5:42 a.m.

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August 23 marks a pivotal moment in India's history, etched forever in memory as the day the nation made its lasting mark on space exploration.

A year ago, on this very day, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), under the leadership of S Somanath, achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully landing the Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander near the Moon's South Pole.

This historic accomplishment not only elevated India's standing in the global space community but also established the country as a trailblazer, being the first to land near the lunar South Pole.

Advertisement Chandrayaan-3’s First Anniversary

As India celebrates the first anniversary of Chandrayaan-3's lunar touchdown on National Space Day, it is evident that this accomplishment signifies not only a historic milestone but also a foundation for India's continued leadership in space exploration and technological advancement.

The successes achieved over the past year provide a robust foundation for the ambitious goals that lie ahead, including the establishment of India’s inaugural space station by 2035 and the landing of the first Indian on the Moon by 2040. The journey that commenced with Chandrayaan-3 is far from complete; it marks the beginning of India’s audacious foray into the final frontier.

The triumph of Chandrayaan-3 went beyond simply reaching the lunar surface. It propelled India into an exclusive group of nations, joining the ranks of the former USSR, the United States, and China, who have achieved lunar landings.

This achievement, however, was not just a stride in space exploration; it also solidified India’s position within a prestigious league of nations showcasing advanced space capabilities.

The success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission was a testament to years of persistent efforts, learning, and innovation. It followed the unfortunate setback of Chandrayaan-2 in 2019, where the mission was tragically cut short moments before the lander could achieve a soft landing. The disappointment of Chandrayaan-2 heightened the tension and anticipation surrounding Chandrayaan-3.

Advertisement However, this setback also served as a valuable lesson, ultimately making the success of Chandrayaan-3 even more gratifying.

Beyond the Moon: Chandrayaan-3’s Legacy

The Chandrayaan-3 mission not only achieved its primary objectives but also went beyond, conducting a series of on-site experiments that yielded groundbreaking discoveries. The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover played crucial roles in these experiments, revealing the presence of significant minerals on the Moon and testing India's landing and roving capabilities. These findings not only contributed to our understanding of the Moon but also paved the way for future interplanetary missions by ISRO.

Senior scientists from ISRO shared that the mission's success enabled additional “bonus experiments” that were not originally planned. The constantly changing landing conditions and the preservation of fuel allowed the Chandrayaan-3 module to conduct these extra experiments, providing further insights into the lunar surface.

Advertisement In the days leading up to the first anniversary of Chandrayaan-3's landing, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, one of ISRO's key scientific labs, released the mission's findings. Among these was the significant discovery that a vast ocean of molten rock once covered the Moon's South Pole, supporting the theory that magma formed the Moon's surface approximately 4.5 billion years ago. This discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of the Moon's geological history.

Furthermore, the Pragyan rover confirmed the presence of various minerals on the Moon, including sulfur, aluminum, calcium, iron, chromium, and titanium. Further analysis revealed the presence of manganese, silicon, and oxygen. These discoveries are not just scientific milestones but also lay the groundwork for future explorations and the potential for resource utilization on the Moon.

In addition to these mineral discoveries, Chandrayaan-3 conducted seismic investigations, capturing the movement of the rover and other scientific tools on the Moon’s surface. These recordings also captured a potential “natural event.” These seismic readings offer valuable insight into the Moon’s internal structure and geologic activity.

On September 3, 2023, another noteworthy achievement was recorded when the Vikram lander successfully conducted the ‘hop experiment.’ This involved firing its rockets to reach a height of 40 cm and landing back on the lunar surface. Only a select few countries have demonstrated the ability to take off and land again on a celestial body, and this experiment showcased India’s growing expertise in space technology.

Advertisement Additionally, ISRO successfully retrieved the propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3 from lunar orbit back to Earth's orbit. These trials demonstrated India's capabilities not only in launching objects into space but also in safely bringing them back to Earth, a crucial prerequisite for future lunar missions.

The Road Ahead: Expanding India’s Space Sector

The success of Chandrayaan-3 has undeniably propelled the growth of India's space sector. Following this achievement, the nation has witnessed a surge in high-profile space missions and increased investment in the sector.

The Indian government has taken substantial steps to foster this growth, including the implementation of the New Space Policy in 2023, which opened doors for private companies and clearly defined the roles of various stakeholders in satellite construction, technological advancements, and infrastructure.

Says Akash Yalagach, CTO and Co-Founder, KaleidEO, “The Indian space technology startup ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, especially post the sector’s liberalization, the government has significantly enabled the private sector’s development through multiple initiatives. Key measures like the Indian Space Policy, 2023, the National Geospatial Policy, 2022, as well as amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy highlight the support ISRO and In-SPACe have taken for the private space sector.

“Most recently, the announcement of allocation of a Rs 1000 crore venture capital fund during the Union Budget 2024 and the announcement of a Public-Private Partnership to develop a comprehensive Earth Observation System, are very positive indicators of the belief of the Government to substantially enhance the sector’s progress,” he added.

As India continues to advance in space exploration, the private sector's role will become increasingly significant. The government's commitment to facilitating commercialization, simplifying FDI applications, and examining updates to tax policies regarding intellectual property in the deep tech sector will be crucial in driving innovation and ensuring sustained growth and success.