Exploring India’s Successful Launch of Chandrayaan-3 Moon Mission

India has embarked on its second attempt to land a robotic spacecraft on the moon with the launch of Chandrayaan-3 from Sriharikota, a launch site off the country’s East Coast. This mission follows the failure of India‘s first attempt nearly four years ago, when the spacecraft crash-landed on the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-3 is part of India‘s ambitious space program, which aims to explore and expand its presence in space, joining the ranks of other nations such as the United States and China in the race for lunar exploration.

### India‘s Renewed Interest in Lunar Exploration

The timing of Chandrayaan-3 is significant, as it coincides with a renewed global interest in lunar exploration. Both the United States and China have announced plans to send astronauts to the moon in the near future, and several robotic missions from Russia, Japan, and the United States are also scheduled to head to the moon this year and the next. Landing a robotic lander and rover successfully on the lunar surface would be an accomplishment that only China has achieved this century, making it a source of great national pride for India.

### India‘s Growing Space Industry and International Collaboration

India‘s space program is not only focused on lunar exploration but also encompasses plans for further space missions and collaborations with other countries. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India‘s equivalent of NASA, is developing its own spacecraft to take astronauts to orbit and has recently signed an agreement with the United States for a joint mission to the International Space Station. Additionally, India has signed the Artemis Accords, an American framework that sets out guidelines for civil space exploration, and has collaborations with NASA for missions like the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar mission (NISAR) and plans for missions to study the sun and Venus.

### The Challenges of Lunar Landing

Landing on the moon is a complex and challenging task, as many space programs have experienced failures in the past. The Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to overcome the issues encountered in the previous attempt by making design improvements such as stronger landing legs, additional propellant, more solar cells, and improved sensors. The software has also been modified to allow the spacecraft to turn faster if needed, and the landing area has been expanded. The mission is scheduled to attempt the landing in the moon’s south polar region on August 23 or 24, timed to coincide with sunrise at the landing site.

### Editorial: The Significance of Lunar Exploration

The launch of Chandrayaan-3 and the global interest in lunar exploration raise important questions about the significance and purpose of space exploration. In today’s world, where nations face pressing challenges on Earth — climate change, poverty, inequality, and pandemics — some argue that resources and efforts should be directed towards solving these problems rather than exploring distant celestial bodies. However, others believe that space exploration carries intrinsic value by pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and technological advancements. It inspires curiosity, drives innovation, and fosters international collaboration. Moreover, the exploration of the moon and other celestial bodies can provide valuable scientific insights and resources that may benefit humanity in the long run.

### Advice: Balancing Priorities and Investments

As India and other countries invest in space exploration, it is essential to strike a balance between the pursuit of knowledge and addressing immediate challenges on Earth. Space exploration should not be seen as a distraction or a mere display of national pride, but rather as a strategic investment with potential long-term benefits. Governments should prioritize funding for scientific research, technology development, and international collaboration in space missions while also ensuring that resources are appropriately allocated to address pressing issues on Earth. By striking this balance, nations can harness the power of space exploration to not only further scientific knowledge but also contribute to the betterment of humanity as a whole.