Chandrayaan-3: One small moon hop by Vikram Lander, one giant leap for India

Hyderabad: In a significant leap forward for India’s space exploration program, the Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a remarkable milestone with the Vikram Lander successfully executing a hop experiment on the lunar surface.

The mission, led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), had been eagerly awaited since the setback of the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019 when the Vikram Lander failed to soft-land on the moon’s surface. This time, Vikram not only met but exceeded expectations, reaffirming ISRO’s commitment to exploring the mysteries of Earth’s celestial neighbour.

The hop experiment, a critical component of Chandrayaan-3, involved commanding the Vikram Lander to fire its engines, lifting itself by approximately 40 cm, and landing safely a short distance away. This manoeuvre, akin to a lunar ‘hop’, demonstrated precise control and execution, proving the capabilities of the spacecraft and instilling confidence in future lunar missions.

One of the key takeaways from this achievement is the boost it provides to upcoming lunar endeavours, particularly in the realms of sample return missions and the eventual goal of sending humans to the moon. The successful hop experiment showcases ISRO’s engineering prowess, which will be invaluable in planning and executing more ambitious missions.

According to ISRO, all systems performed nominally during the experiment, and the spacecraft remains in excellent health.

Additionally, crucial instruments such as the RAMP (Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere) and ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermo-physical Experiment) were deployed and then successfully retracted after the experiment. These instruments play a vital role in collecting data and expanding our understanding of the lunar environment.

As we look ahead, Chandrayaan-3’s success sets the stage for India’s continued contributions to lunar exploration and scientific discovery. The ability to soft-land and manoeuvre on the moon’s surface is a testament to India’s growing space capabilities. Moreover, this achievement aligns with global efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon, making it an integral part of international space exploration collaborations.

Chandrayaan-3 Vikram Lander’s triumphant hop experiment not only marks a significant milestone for India’s space program but also signifies a leap toward a future where lunar exploration is more robust and ambitious than ever before.