India's Moon Exploration Program

[Indx TechStyle]

Since Chandrayaan-3 is not going to have an orbiter, only an orbital module, wouldn't the mass/ weight reduction, be sufficient for Gslv Mk 2 to carry the entire payload? They would need another Gslv Mk 2 ready, though, apart from what is going to be used to lift the new Irnss satellite. Just thinking out loud!

The initial elliptical orbit of Chandryaan-3 is going to be far bigger than Chandryaan-2 (still not direct TLI injection though) which will cut down cycle time greatly.

 

[DumbPilot]

The initial elliptical orbit of Chandryaan-3 is going to be far bigger than Chandryaan-2 (still not direct TLI injection though) which will cut down cycle time greatly.

Oberth baba:

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Oberth baba:
View attachment 191624

Well, how many of people use term "Oberth" for maneuvers here?

 

[DumbPilot]

Well, how many of people use term "Oberth" for maneuvers here?

I was making fun of Oberth realizing how Indians can do jugaad in space as well, lol. Going to the Moon or Mars with the Oberth effect is just pure engineering at work

 

[Indx TechStyle]

I was making fun of Oberth realizing how Indians can do jugaad in space as well, lol. Going to the Moon or Mars with the Oberth effect is just pure engineering at work

Off course we hadn't acquired TLI capabity for a reasonable payload in 2000s when we begun these programmes.
We still don't have HLLVs. So, this would continue.

 

[DumbPilot]

Off course we hadn't acquired TLI capabity for a reasonable payload in 2000s when we begun these programmes.
We still don't have HLLVs. So, this would continue.

Yup. I think we'll get there by about mid-2040s ish, if we keep at this pace. The need for heavy launchers comes with heavy payloads(space station modules, as I think will be in our case.)

 

[Indx TechStyle]

I think we'll get there by about mid-2040s ish

We're already almost there with C32 mounted LVM3. It has sufficient thrust to throw a sub tonne spacecraft on to moon.
Mating of SCE-200 later this decade and new LM/LOX based upper stages under trials, will patch up the rest of gap too.
But how much ISRO uses direct injection over orbital maneuvers, will have to seen.

 

[Blademaster]

I told ya.
They needed to produce 6 LVM3 rockets in 2 years. Current capacity is barely 2 in one year.

Why is ISRO not interested in competing with China and SpaceX for launch contracts by building such capacity?

 

[TopWatcher]

No hope from ISRO now. It means they r not taking cy3 seriously. Even if ISRO announce date we don't believe.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Why is ISRO not interested in competing with China and SpaceX for launch contracts by building such capacity?

Easier said than done. The demand, getting budget from government and building industries for same is a long term project.
They have been talking of taking capacity to 12-18 launches an year (besides 50-60 launches of SSLV every year) since 2019. COVID threw all that to dustbin in 2020, many vendors got away and now they are struggling to retain old capacities, leave alone matching launch frequencies with US, Russia and China.

The solution to SpaceX and China is building a massive private space sector which again is a long term project.

 

[AnantS]

Chandrayaan-3 is more political than Gaganyaan in that regard. Manned spaceflight is an essential part of long term plan for space station, all missions to Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Sun and asteroids are just a matter of symbolism for now.

I believe Gaganyaan would be more political significant than another Chandaryaan. The former has bigger "impact" capability. Given this program was sanctioned by Modi with Good publicity with set target for 2024. I am not arguing on usability of prog. This prog is necessary - like since a decade back. But what I am alluding is - repeat of CY-2 fiasco- where as per some reports - ISRO cut corners to meet the launch deadline. That's concerning as given in Indian context - as per a single failure is enough to demoralize Indian Public and Government.

 

[Vamsi]

Chandrayaan-3 page updated in ISRO's official website, lots of Interesting details, pictures
interestingly total mass of CY-2 stack i.e Orbiter + Lander + Rover = 3850Kg
but for CY-3, total mass i.e Propulsion Module + Lander + Rover = 3900Kg
CY-2 lander mass = 1477Kg
CY-3 lander mass = 1726Kg
mass increased due to new sensors like LDV, strengthened landing legs, additional antennas etc

More details below

Chandrayaan-3

www.isro.gov.in

@Indx TechStyle copy this to Indian Lunar Programme thread

 

[Vamsi]

Chandrayaan-3 page updated in ISRO's official website, lots of Interesting details, pictures
interestingly total mass of CY-2 stack i.e Orbiter + Lander + Rover = 3850Kg
but for CY-3, total mass i.e Propulsion Module + Lander + Rover = 3900Kg
CY-2 lander mass = 1477Kg
CY-3 lander mass = 1726Kg
mass increased due to new sensors like LDV, strengthened landing legs, additional antennas etc

More details below

Chandrayaan-3

www.isro.gov.in

@Indx TechStyle copy this to Indian Lunar Programme thread

Most interesting payload in CY-3 mission is SHAPE payload which will be on Propulsion Module....this payload is a TD for a possible habitable Exo-planet hunting mission in future...most probably for Exo-Worlds mission

Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE)

Future discoveries of smaller planets in reflected light would allow us to probe into variety of Exo-planets which would qualify for habitability (or for presence of life).

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Cdy-3 possibly rescheduled for year end or early next year. But only probably.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Chandrayaan-3 successfully undergoes Integrated Module Dynamic Tests
Mar 16, 2023

In yet another milestone, Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft successfully completed the essential tests that validated its capability to withstand the harsh vibration and acoustic environment that the spacecraft would face during its launch. These tests were conducted during the first week of March 2023 at the test facilities located at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru. These tests are an essential part of the qualification & acceptance process for any spacecraft. These tests were particularly challenging, considering the fact that the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is a composite of three modules viz. Propulsion Module, Lander Module and the Rover module. The vibration and acoustic tests carried out on the integrated spacecraft has provided sufficient confidence on the structural integrity and survivability in the launch environment.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Chandrayaan-3 Data Analysis Workshop for National Academia and Institutes

ISRO organized a two-day workshop on the Science and Data Analysis aspects of the forthcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission, during March 28-29, 2023, at the Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC), Byalalu, near Bangalore. The Workshop comprised lectures on the Indian lunar exploration programme, setting the context for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, data archival and dissemination aspects, and the scientific experiments on Chandrayaan-3. Extensive hands-on training on the processing and analyzing the laboratory data of the Chandrayaan-3 payloads, and a dedicated interaction session between the participants from the academia and institutes with the scientists from ISRO/DOS were the major focus of the workshop. The workshop was attended by 50 participants from outside the Department of Space, which included 24 faculty members and senior students from Universities and Institutes who would use the lunar data. A total number of 33 Indian academic institutes outside DOS were represented in the workshop. Around 20 scientists from ISRO/ DOS gave presentations on science payloads and conducted the hands-on sessions.

Shri A S Kiran Kumar, former Chairman, ISRO / Secretary, DOS graced the inaugural programme and wished the gathering for the success of the workshop. He emphasized the importance of carrying forward the legacy of the space science exploration programme to the students. Shri B N Ramakrishna, Director, ISTRAC presided over the inaugural session and appraised the gathering about the importance of the mission, and the wealth of scientific data from the Indian scientific missions, hosted in ISSDC, which are open to the scientific community for use. Dr. Tirtha Pratim Das, Director, Space Science Programme Office, ISRO Headquarters delivered a lecture on the scientific rationale to study the Moon, and how would the Chandrayaan-3 mission fit in the bigger picture of understanding the solar system.

Chandrayaan-3 mission carries scientific instruments to study the thermo-physical properties of the lunar regolith, lunar seismicity, lunar surface plasma environment and elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site. While the scope of these scientific instruments on the lander and the rover would fit in the theme of 'Science of the Moon', another experimental instrument will study the spectro-polarimetric signatures of the Earth from the lunar orbit, which would fit in the theme of 'Science from the Moon'.

The students got introductory training on how to analyze in-situ data and will be using the data analysis manual for further preparedness for analysing Chandrayaan-3 data. It was mentioned that the in-situ measurements from Chandrayaan-3 would complement some of the remote sensing measurements by the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter by providing the ground truth. The workshop concluded with a feedback session wherein the participants appreciated ISRO/ DOS for conducting such workshops.

 

[Photon]

Failed Indo-Russia moon project!!!

Luna-Resurs

History of the Luna-Resurs mission by Anatoly Zak

www.russianspaceweb.com

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Failed Indo-Russia moon project!!!
View attachment 199579

Luna-Resurs

History of the Luna-Resurs mission by Anatoly Zak

www.russianspaceweb.com

Cancelled and not failed.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gaganyaan-from-astronauts-training-to-tech-upgrade-isro-making-leaps-to-meet-2025-target-for-manned-mission-8546259/

The report states that there will be one mission of the heavy rocket LVM3, which is likely to carry on-board Chandrayaan-3. ISRO chairperson S Somanath had earlier said that Chandrayaan-3 mission is likely by mid-2023. The mission will complete the objectives of Chandrayaan-2, attempting a soft landing and then roving on the lunar surface close to the south pole of the celestial body.

The report states that high-pressure leak checks of gas bottles and propellant tanks have already been carried out. A leak in the helium gas bottle, used to pressurise the cryogenic fuel in the rocket’s upper stage, had resulted in Chandrayaan 2 mission being halted on the launch pad minutes before the launch.

According to officials, everything for Chandrayaan-3 mission is ready and the systems are undergoing final checks. “A battery of tests is being conducted to check the robustness of the systems. The systems are being tested under various simulated scenarios such as what happens if there is a dust cloud during landing, what happens if there are pebbles at the landing site.”