Unveiling Chandrayaan-3: Journey from Southern India to the Lunar South Pole, Celebrating the Brilliant Minds and Laboratories Behind the Mission

 

Unveiling Chandrayaan-3: Journey from Southern India to the Lunar South Pole, Celebrating the Brilliant Minds and Laboratories Behind the Mission

BENGALURU: The celebration of Chandrayaan-3's remarkable success continues as India proudly reveals the chosen landing site on the moon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his eagerness to meet the brilliant minds behind the mission, commending their unwavering dedication, courage, and enthusiasm.

 Modi addressed the team at Isro during an interaction in Bengaluru, highlighting the significance of the journey from the southern part of India to the southern region of the moon.

 Isro stated that the Pragyan rover has covered an impressive distance of 12 meters on the lunar surface and is preparing to capture images of the Vikram lander.

 Space, being an unforgiving environment with no room for in-situ repairs, demands meticulous planning, design, testing, analysis, and review for successful mission development.

 According to Isro, Chandrayaan-3 stands as a true testament to the complexity of "rocket science," requiring a multi-disciplinary team of domain experts to collaborate closely with project execution teams, tailoring solutions for each unique mission. Apart from the core team of 30 Isro scientists and engineers, Chandrayaan-3 also saw essential contributions from a diverse range of teams.

 Isro credits personnel from 12 of its major laboratories for the mission's success, including UR Rao Satellite Centre, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Isro Satellite Tracking Centre, and more. Additionally, around 20 non-Isro institutions played a vital role in bringing the mission to life.

 Throughout the mission's various stages, expert committees from academia and Isro meticulously reviewed test results, observations, and non-compliances. Their guidance helped decide whether to proceed as planned, make repairs, or replace components. Former chairpersons K Radhakrishnan, AS Kiran Kumar, and K Sivan provided comprehensive oversight as members of the Isro-level apex committee.

 In addition to these experts, a committee led by V Koteswara Rao oversaw critical tests on the lander. This committee consisted of scientists well-versed in related fields. The contribution of directors and senior scientists from numerous institutions further enhanced the review process.

 Isro also acknowledged the support of esteemed academicians from various institutions, including IISc, University of Hyderabad, IIT Kharagpur, and more. Their collective efforts and collaboration enabled the successful realization of Chandrayaan-3's mission objectives.

 As Isro provided an update on the rover, it shared that the Pragyan rover is actively exploring the area around Shiv Shakti Point, uncovering lunar secrets near the moon's south pole.