Aerospace

5 Things about the Chandrayaan-3 Launch

The ambitious Chandrayaan-3 expedition to the Moon is about to take off from India. The spacecraft will travel to the Moon on Launch vehicle Mark-III, also known as LVM3, India’s largest rocket. In order to attempt a gentle landing on the Moon by the end of August, the spacecraft will travel 3,84,000 km in just under 45 days.

Scientists predict that 16 minutes after liftoff on Friday at 2:35 p.m., the propulsion module will separate from the rocket and begin an approximately 5- to 6-times elliptical orbit of the earth, with 170 km closest to the planet and 36,500 km furthest away, moving in the direction of the lunar orbit.

Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar exploration project, is prepared to launch on the LVM3 launcher’s fourth operational mission (M4). By showing an easy landing on the lunar surface with its lunar module and traveling on the lunar surface, ISRO is opening new frontiers. Future interplanetary missions of ISRO should benefit from it.
The purpose of Chandrayaan-3, which comprises of an indigenous propulsion module, a lander module, and a rover, is to develop and demonstrate new technologies needed for interplanetary missions. The propulsion Module’s primary duty is to transport the LM from the launch vehicle injection orbit to Lander separation.
The ISRO’s LVM3 heavy-lift launch vehicle is now in use and has a stellar resume, having successfully completed 6 missions in a row. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft will be launched on this, LVM3’s fourth operational flight, into Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO).
The structure of Chandrayaan-3 is based on a modified version of the I-3 K, ensuring improved performance and reliability. With a dry mass of 448.62 kg, which includes the pressurant, the spacecraft is designed to efficiently utilize its propellant mass of 1696.39 kg. The total payload mass, including the propellant, stands at 2145.01 kg.
The Chandrayaan-3 is being constructed for about Rs 615 crore, according to ISRO. The lander rover and propulsion module for the mission would cost about Rs 250 crore, according to a report dated January 2020, while the launch service would cost an additional Rs 365 crore.

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.