Solar Energy Aided In Soft Landing Of Chandrayaan-3

Solar Energy Aided In Soft Landing Of Chandrayaan-3 Mission. Photo by-ISRO

India has scripted history by launching its third moon mission, called ‘Chandrayaan-3’. This mission as per the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was undertaken to explore the lunar surface. As per the ISRO report, the electronic subsystems of the satellite are powered by solar energy, generated by solar panels, and stored in batteries, as per details shared by ISRO.

Power system engineers at the U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) provided suitable power generation and distribution systems. The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) used in the system is provided as a part of the solar panel substrates for Chandrayaan-3 (CH-3). The communication engineers design, test, and deliver sophisticated communication subsystems, which serve as the link between various modules of CH-3 and the ground station.

While sharing details on the power system, the engineers at the URSC estimated that the system should provide a suitable power generation and distribution mechanism. This mechanism includes VSSC-provided solar panel substrates for CH-3, as per ISRO report.

ISRO shared details on CH – 3, including the satellite’s orientation in space, which uses sun, star, laser-based altimeters, and velocimeters. Additionally, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), CH-3, has planned its soft-landing according to the availability of sunlight. The module is reported to have undergone internal checks and will await the sunrise at the designated landing site, ISRO has said. 

As per the details shared by ISRO chief S. Somnath, the additional solar panels would ensure that the lander generates power no matter how it lands. As per the shared details by ISRO, the upgraded sensors and larger solar panels are characterized to be a part of Chandrayaan-3. As per the report, the mission is a follow-up mission to Chandrayaan-2. The Chandrayaan-3 Lander has solar panels on four sides instead of only two in Chandrayaan-2. 

It ensures the lander continues to draw solar power, even if it lands in the wrong direction or tumbles over. At least one or two of its sides would always be facing the Sun and remain active.

With the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, India has become the fourth country to accomplish a soft landing on the lunar surface and the first country to achieve this endeavor on the moon’s south pole. This achievement is envisaged to serve as a forerunner for future landing missions and other technological progress in planetary exploration.