ISRO to launch Chandrayaan-3 next year by next year with a slight change

New Delhi: Indian Space Research Center (ISRO) will launch Chandrayaan-3 next year. Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander will be having only 4 engines unlike Chandrayaan-2’s Vikram lander which had five engines (thrusters).

The mission will be having lander and Rover. Lander-Rover, contact will be made with Chandrayaan-2 orbiter which is revolving around the moon.

The Vikram lander had one engine at the four corners while a larger engine was in the middle. However, this time the middle engine will not be added to the lander that will go with Chandrayaan-3. The advantage of this will be that the weight of the lander will be reduced.

During Chandrayaan-2 , at time of landing, the fifth engine was installed to protect it from dust. This was done so that dust particles are removed. This time ISRO is confident that there will be no dust problems.

ISRO is cutting on fifth engine as it will reduce the weight and price of the lander. ISRO Scientist has also recommended to change the feet of the lander. Apart from this, Lander Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) has also been installed in the lander, so that the speed of the lander is accurate at the time of landing and there is no incident like Chandrayan-2’s Vikram Lander.

Chandrayaan-3 lander-rovers can work well on the moon pits. Prior to real mission, the dummy moon pits will be made at Ularthi Kavalu near Challakere, 215 km from Bangalore.

According to Sources, ISRO have issued a tender to make the moon pit in Challakere area. By the beginning of September it will find a company that will complete this work. This will cost Rs 24.2 lakh. These pits will be 10 meters in diameter and three meters deep.

As per ISRO, these are being built so that it can practice the movement of lander and rover of Chandrayaan-3 and also check the sensors installed in it. Lander sensor performance test will be done because of this, it will know the functionality of the lander.

Most of the programs will be automated. There will be hundreds of sensors in it, which will help in automation. During the landing of the lander, these sensors will help in elevation, place of landing, speed, keeping the lander away from stones, added ISRO.

Chandrayaan-3 lander will descend from a height of 7 km on these dummy moon pits. As soon as a height of 2 kilometers is reach, its sensors will start working. The lander will determine its direction, speed and landing site. ISRO scientists do not want to make any mistake this time, so are working very closely on the sensors.

Another ISRO scientist said that we are testing the lander in ISRO Satellite Navigation and Test Establishment. At the moment, we do not know how successful this test will be, however the testing is important. So we don’t repeat the Chandrayaan-2 issues.