India's Moon Exploration Program

[Vamsi]

Chandrayaan-3 consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), Propulsion module (PM) and a Rover with an objective of developing and demonstrating new technologies required for Inter planetary missions. The Lander will have the capability to soft land at a specified lunar site and deploy the Rover which will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during the course of its mobility. The Lander and the Rover have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the lunar surface. The main function of PM is to carry the LM from launch vehicle injection till final lunar 100 km circular polar orbit and separate the LM from PM. Apart from this, the Propulsion Module also has one scientific payload as a value addition which will be operated post separation of Lander Module. The launcher identified for Chandrayaan-3 is GSLV-Mk3 which will place the integrated module in an Elliptic Parking Orbit (EPO) of size ~170 x 36500 km.

Any idea which extra load ??

This is from the paper published about this payload

Spectro-polarimetry of planetary atmospheres: radiative transfer simulations and instrument concept

Abstract
Planetary atmospheres are characterized based on their gaseous composition as well as the aerosols or clouds in the atmosphere. Spectroscopy generally gives information about the gaseous composition of the planets whereas polarimetry is known to be sensitive to the scatterer present in the atmosphere (like aerosols and clouds). Combined together, the spectro-polarimetry gives complete information about the atmosphere of a planet. We are developing an Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) based near - infrared (1 - 1.7 μm) spectro-polarimeter for ISRO's upcoming Mars and Venus missions. We also aim to observe Earth's spectro-polarimetric signatures from a Geo-stationary platform. The atmosphere of Mars contains tiny amounts of water vapour which combined with ubiquitous Martian dust, forms clouds at high altitudes ( 30-50 km). We show with the help of a radiative transfer model as to how a limb viewing spectro-polarimeter can reveal the process of condensation in Martian atmosphere. We show the polarization signatures of dust and clouds and expected level of water vapour absorption in Martian limb. Since Mars atmosphere is largely un-explored as far as polarization studies are concerned so we expect a good scientific gain from such an experiment. In the similar context, we intend to study the scattered polarization from Venus' sulphuric acid clouds. We aim to study the polarization within a strong CO2 absorption band which would possibly provide information about the vertical structure of the clouds in Venusian atmosphere. We also plan to study the spectro-polarimetric signatures of Earth from a Geo-stationary platform. This study would provide us with a global view of scattered polarization from Earth. Since Earth is a known habitable planet with an active - weather system, it would be possible to study the bio-signatures such as O2 and H2O and also characterize the changing cloud cover with the help of scattered polarization. This study would prove to be a benchmark for the future characterization of habitable zone extra-solar planets.In this paper, we present the spectro-polarimetric (simulated) signatures from Mars, Venus and Earth atmosphere along with unique concept design of the instrument, which is under development at ISRO.

 

[TopWatcher]

This is from the paper published about this payload

Spectro-polarimetry of planetary atmospheres: radiative transfer simulations and instrument concept

Abstract
Planetary atmospheres are characterized based on their gaseous composition as well as the aerosols or clouds in the atmosphere. Spectroscopy generally gives information about the gaseous composition of the planets whereas polarimetry is known to be sensitive to the scatterer present in the atmosphere (like aerosols and clouds). Combined together, the spectro-polarimetry gives complete information about the atmosphere of a planet. We are developing an Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter (AOTF) based near - infrared (1 - 1.7 μm) spectro-polarimeter for ISRO's upcoming Mars and Venus missions. We also aim to observe Earth's spectro-polarimetric signatures from a Geo-stationary platform. The atmosphere of Mars contains tiny amounts of water vapour which combined with ubiquitous Martian dust, forms clouds at high altitudes ( 30-50 km). We show with the help of a radiative transfer model as to how a limb viewing spectro-polarimeter can reveal the process of condensation in Martian atmosphere. We show the polarization signatures of dust and clouds and expected level of water vapour absorption in Martian limb. Since Mars atmosphere is largely un-explored as far as polarization studies are concerned so we expect a good scientific gain from such an experiment. In the similar context, we intend to study the scattered polarization from Venus' sulphuric acid clouds. We aim to study the polarization within a strong CO2 absorption band which would possibly provide information about the vertical structure of the clouds in Venusian atmosphere. We also plan to study the spectro-polarimetric signatures of Earth from a Geo-stationary platform. This study would provide us with a global view of scattered polarization from Earth. Since Earth is a known habitable planet with an active - weather system, it would be possible to study the bio-signatures such as O2 and H2O and also characterize the changing cloud cover with the help of scattered polarization. This study would prove to be a benchmark for the future characterization of habitable zone extra-solar planets.In this paper, we present the spectro-polarimetric (simulated) signatures from Mars, Venus and Earth atmosphere along with unique concept design of the instrument, which is under development at ISRO.

Wow one experiment becoming a base for other planet mission.

Thats why data is very important in space missions. Country having as much as solar system data will lead/handle more missions.

 

[Vamsi]

Wow one experiment becoming a base for other planet mission.

Thats why data is very important in space missions. Country having as much as solar system data will lead/handle more missions.

Here is the paper about the SHAPE payload development

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368687808_AOTF_based_spectro-polarimeter_for_observing_Earth_as_an_Exoplanet

 

[Varoon2]

One expression that hasn't been used for this upcoming mission is the "15 minutes of terror" that the previous ISRO chairman spoke of. He was referring to the final 15 minutes of the lander's descent, as it makes its transition from the ' rough braking' to the ' fine braking' phase. They are more confident this time around. And perhaps a small part of them doesn't want to jinx the mission by any undue negativity

 

[skywatcher]

Q: Will Modi attend and witness the landing moment this time?

 

[Haldilal]

Ya'll Nibbiars

 

[Varoon2]

Very good interview with S.Somanath. Mostly about Chandrayaan -3, but some info about other upcoming ISRO missions as well.

 

[TopWatcher]

Very good interview with S.Somanath. Mostly about Chandrayaan -3, but some info about other upcoming ISRO missions as well.

Can anybody compile it?

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Finally time for the launch infographic for #Chandrayaan3!
In just 3 days from now, a LVM3 aka GSLV Mk-III rocket will lift off from Sriharikota, launching India's 3rd mission to the Moon!
Check out this infographic to know more #ISRO

 

[Indx TechStyle]

T- days: ISRO has completed the 'Launch Rehearsal' for the launch of #Chandrayaan3! #ISRO

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Chandryaan-3 mission brochure

https://www.isro.gov.in/media_isro/pdf/Missions/LVM3/LVM3M4_Chandrayaan3_brochure.pdf

 

[Indx TechStyle]

More from gallery

 

[Indx TechStyle]

LVM3 M4/Chandryaan-3 Curtain Raiser Video

LVM3-M4 / Chandrayaan-3 Mission

 

[spacemarine2023]

Hopefully ISRO will fit GoPro cam on payload while on the way to Moon.. will make for Kool as fuck shot of Earth…

 

[Photon]

Russia’s Luna-25 Lunar Lander Arrives At Vostochny Spaceport | Aviation Week Network

Russia is approaching the launch of its Luna-25 mission to the Moon—the country’s first lunar exploration effort in almost 50 years.

aviationweek.com

 

[pankaj nema]

 

[Indx TechStyle]

All stages of Chandrayaan-3 mission equally critical, we hope rover will have a life more than 14 Earth days: Isro chief

With stage set for the launch of India’s Rs 615-crore Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission at 2.35 pm on Friday and Isro completing a 24-hour “launch rehearsal" simulating the entire launch process for the spacecraft sitting on board ‘fat boy’ LVM-3 rocket, Isro chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath speaks to TOI’s Surendra Singh on the critical operations of lander and rover, focus areas of the one-month-long mission and if Isro is also studying signs of extra-terrestrial life on the Moon besides learning about the lunar surface.

Excerpts:
Q1. Besides studying the moon crust composition, thermal properties of the lunar surface and the dynamics of the Moon system, will Chandrayaan-3 also plan to study signs of extraterrestrial life on the Moon?
A: No life as we know of it is possible on the Moon. So, this is not in consideration now.


Q 2. What are the key focus areas during the entire Chandrayaan-3 journey from Earth to Moon where Isro will be extra vigilant?
A: We are vigilant throughout. All stages are equally critical, including the rocket launch. But more discussion and review took place on soft landing as we have not done before.


Q 3. Learning from Chandrayaan-2 mistakes, Isro made so many changes in the lander this time to withstand the wear and tear during the final descent, are you confident Vikram will have a safe landing?
A: Yes. Changes (made in the lander) are for overcoming the issues and to improve reliability and failure tolerance.


Q 4. Will the Pragyan rover have a life of more than 14 Earth days on the Moon surface?
A: Possible by our assessment. Will see after the first day and night (on Moon).

Q 5. If this moon landing mission is successful, will you then plan to bring lunar rocks and send astronauts?
A: Will see in the future if adequate science and commercial objectives can be identified.


Q 6.Will Isro share key data that you will receive from the lander & rover with other space agencies and also put them in public domain?
Yes. After a certain lock-in period, as is done for all science missions world over.

 

[SKC]

Chips, Coke, Popcorns ready??

 

[Tactical Doge]

Chips, Coke, Popcorns ready??

vada, sambharam and bhaaji ready

 

[Varoon2]

Get a tonne of all that ready for August 22nd-23rd!