Unlocking Lunar Riches: India’s Historic Moon Landing Mission Revealed
India’s Lunar Ambitions: Chandrayaan-3’s Orbit Maneuvers
In just two days, on the eve of India’s Independence Day, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is set to undertake a complex maneuver to adjust the orbit of Chandrayaan-3, bringing India closer to the long-cherished goal of a successful lunar landing.
This intricate orbital adjustment is part of a series of planned maneuvers by Isro, gradually decreasing Chandrayaan-3’s orbit and aligning it over the lunar poles. But India is not alone in its lunar aspirations.
Simultaneously, Russia launched its first Moon-landing spacecraft in over 47 years this week, while the United States and China are in a race to have their astronauts land on the Moon’s south pole before 2030.
The driving force behind this renewed interest in Earth’s natural satellite is the presence of valuable elements on the Moon.
Water: India played a pioneering role by making the definitive discovery of water on the Moon. Water is essential for human life and holds potential as a source of hydrogen and oxygen, crucial components for rocket fuel. Scientists believe there’s water locked in ice within the perpetual shade of mountain ridges on the Moon’s south pole.
Helium-3: This rare isotope of helium, abundant on the Moon (with estimated reserves of a million tonnes), could be a significant source of nuclear energy in fusion reactors. A notable advantage is that helium-3 is not radioactive and would not produce hazardous waste.
Rare Earth Metals: The Moon holds rare earth metals, essential for advanced technologies like smartphones and computers. Elements such as scandium, yttrium, and the 15 lanthanides are present, sparking interest in their potential extraction and utilization.
The prospect of lunar mining is intriguing, with the necessity of establishing infrastructure on the Moon. Robots would likely perform the bulk of the work, with water on the Moon potentially enabling long-term human presence.
However, the legal landscape surrounding lunar mining is uncertain. The 1966 Outer Space Treaty prevents any nation from claiming sovereignty over the Moon or other celestial bodies, and space exploration should benefit all countries. The 1979 Moon Agreement states that no part of the Moon shall become the property of any entity. Still, it has not been ratified by major space powers, creating a legal gray area.
Chandrayaan-3’s mission aims to demonstrate safe lunar landing and roving, conducting in-situ scientific experiments. After a series of orbit reduction maneuvers, the lander and rover are expected to make a soft landing on the Moon’s south polar region on August 23, a significant step in India’s lunar journey.
The Moon, located 384,400 km (238,855 miles) from Earth, plays a vital role in moderating the planet’s wobble on its axis, ensuring a stable climate, and causing ocean tides. Its formation, around 4.5 billion years ago, resulted from a colossal collision with Earth. The lunar surface experiences extreme temperature variations, ranging from 127 degrees Celsius in full sun to around minus 173 degrees Celsius in darkness, and its exosphere offers minimal protection against solar radiation.
As India progresses toward lunar exploration milestones, it joins the ranks of countries with a strategic interest in harnessing the Moon’s potential resources and scientific insights.