India has achieved great achievements in spacecraft and science technology, with the Chandrayaan-3 landing on the Moon’s surface on 23 August. ISRO’s lunar mission powered by solar panels has changed history. The solar energy was crucial to Chandrayaan-3’s imminent landing on the moon. Solar energy is a great alternative to traditional power sources for spacecraft.
Solar Panels Play a Key Role in Chandrayaan-3’s Success
The success of India’s Chandrayaan 3moon Mission was largely due to solar energy.
In India, solar energy is used to generate electricity, among other things, but it’s made history this time. The harsh lunar environment does not allow for the same luxury as Earth. ISRO scientists, therefore, explored an innovative solution to sustain the power requirements of the spacecraft. Solar panels are unsung heroes in the vastness of space. They harness the sun’s abundant energy.
These small but critical devices are crucial to the success of India’s Chandrayaan 3 mission. The solar panels mounted on the spacecraft were carefully positioned so that they would capture the maximum amount of sunlight. Solar panels have been designed so that one side is always exposed to sunlight. This allows the aircraft to receive a continuous energy supply. Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the surface of the Moon demonstrated the reliability and efficiency of the solar panel system.
Understanding the Mechanisms of Soft Landings in Space
Scientists have learned from the Chandrayaan-2 failure and added capabilities to the Chandrayaan-3moon mission in India that ensure a soft touchdown. ISRO designed the soft landing by utilizing solar panels and abundant sunlight to generate power. S. Somnath explained to ISRO’s head that by attaching extra solar panels to a lander, the spacecraft would land gently and produce more power, regardless of landing angle.
The term “soft landing” may seem normal, but it involves complex engineering, precise calculations, and innovative technologies to ensure the safety of the spacecraft as well as its precious cargo.
Due to the absence of an atmosphere, traditional aerodynamic braking methods that work on Earth are not effective in space. Experts must invest their time and energy in developing a combination of landing gears, propulsion systems, and autonomous navigation to land the spacecraft softly. If the mixture is working well, the thrust levels and angles can be adjusted to help the spaceship avoid hazards on the ground.
Four-Sided Panels Enhance Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Quest
Chandrayaan-3’s design has been the talk of the town because it is a major step in solar power technology. Solar panels can be mounted on the outer surfaces of a spacecraft in a new design called “Four-Sided Solar Panels.” This model was adopted in the Indian Chandrayaan 3moon Mission instead of two panels on Chandrayaan 2
The design allows for maximum solar absorption or power generation when the spacecraft is rotated or moved from different angles. This design also distributes power more evenly. This is important for missions where lighting conditions are constantly changing, like those in lunar orbit and on the Moon’s surface.
The surface of the Moon has a rough texture, so it was anticipated that the spacecraft would experience rolling or tumbling motions after landing. ISRO scientists made this modification.
What is the main objective of the Chandrayaan 3 Mission?
Solar energy systems all contributed to the realization of this dream mission. Here are the main objectives of the Chandrayaan 3 Mission:
Deployment of a Rover and Landing of a Spacecraft: We already know that the Indian Chandrayaan-3 moon mission’s main goal was to successfully land a spacecraft at the southern pole surface of the Moon.
Studying Moon’s Geology and Composition: This mission’s next objective is to collect data about the composition and geology of the Moon. The data collected will aid in the understanding of the Moon’s evolution and history.
Scientific Experiments and Research The primary goal of every ISRO mission, including this one, is to experiment and conduct research. This mission also has the objective of studying the Moon’s atmosphere, mineral composition, and seismic activity. Chandrayaan-3 has RAMBHA, ILSA, and other instruments that will aid in research.
Capturing Photos from Lunar Orbit: This mission will capture the Earth in lunar orbit. This mission will provide unique information about the Earth.
Measurement for Lunar Surface Density. RAMBHA is a payload that measures the density of charged particles near the surface of the moon and monitors its changes over time.
Chemical Analysis and Elemental Analysis Instruments like APXS or LIBS will be used to analyze the chemical composition and elements of the Moon’s surface and soil.
Lunar South Pole Exploration In order to avoid extreme temperatures during the Moon’s night, the exploration will be focused on the South Pole region.
Conclusion
India is now among those countries that have successfully reached the Moon. It was also the first to explore the South Pole of the Moon, thanks to Chandrayaan 3, the Indian moon mission. The solar panels were the silent hero that powered this successful mission. The solar panels powered the spacecraft and validated the power that solar energy can provide. They also enabled India to unlock the mysteries of the Moon. It illuminated Chandrayan-3’s successful path and gave hope for future successful space missions.