ISRO’s Persistence Pays Off: The Journey to India’s Moon Landing
Image Source: Cosmopolitan
India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has made significant strides in the field of space exploration over the past several decades. Among its most notable achievements is the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which aimed to explore the Moon’s south polar region. While the mission faced challenges, it showcased the remarkable dedication and hard work of India’s scientists and engineers. In this article, we’ll delve into the years of hard work that went into India’s moon landing and explore the exciting upcoming missions on ISRO’s agenda.
Chandrayaan-2: A Monumental Effort
The Chandrayaan-2 mission marked a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts. The mission aimed to study the Moon’s surface, mineralogy, and exosphere while also searching for water ice on the lunar south pole. Launched on July 22, 2019, the mission encountered a few challenges during its journey, but it showcased the resilience and determination of ISRO.
One of the most memorable moments of Chandrayaan-2 was the successful landing of the Vikram lander and the deployment of the Pragyan rover. Unfortunately, the rover lost communication with mission control shortly after landing. Despite this setback, the orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 continued to function admirably, collecting valuable data and providing critical insights into lunar science.
The Upcoming ISRO Missions
While Chandrayaan-2 demonstrated India’s capabilities in lunar exploration, ISRO is not resting on its laurels. The organization has a robust lineup of missions in the pipeline that promise to expand our understanding of space and technology. Here are some of the notable upcoming missions:
Image Source:India Today
Chandrayaan-3: Building on the experience gained from Chandrayaan-2, ISRO has announced plans for Chandrayaan-3, which aims to land a rover on the Moon. This mission will focus on achieving a successful soft landing and further advancing lunar exploration.
Gaganyaan: India’s first manned space mission, Gaganyaan, is set to take flight in the near future. This ambitious endeavor will send Indian astronauts into space and establish India’s presence in human spaceflight.
Aditya-L1: Aditya-L1 mission is dedicated to studying the Sun. It will provide valuable insights into solar activities, which can impact Earth’s climate and technology.
Image Source: BBC
Astrosat-2: The successor to India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, Astrosat-2 will continue to observe celestial phenomena and unravel the mysteries of the universe.
