Analyzing the Factors Behind the Failure of India's Chandrayaan 2 Mission:
The key factors:
Space exploration is an ambitious endeavor that pushes the boundaries of human knowledge and technological capabilities. However, it is not without its challenges, as demonstrated by India's Chandrayaan 2 mission, which unfortunately encountered obstacles and fell short of its intended objectives. Here we explore the key factors that contributed to the failure of the Chandrayaan 2 mission and the valuable lessons learned from this setback.
Technical Glitch:
One of the primary reasons behind the failure of Chandrayaan 2 was a technical glitch during the final stages of the mission. As the Vikram lander descended toward the lunar surface, communication was abruptly lost, resulting in an unsuccessful landing. The glitch, later identified as a problem in the braking thruster system, prevented the lander from decelerating as planned. Such technical malfunctions, although unfortunate, are not uncommon in space missions and highlight the complexities involved in executing precise maneuvers in challenging environments.
Navigation and Guidance Issues:
Accurate navigation and guidance are crucial for a successful lunar landing. The Chandrayaan 2 mission relied on autonomous navigation, using onboard systems to make real-time decisions during descent. However, a deviation in the expected trajectory led to the lander losing communication with the ground control center. The absence of a timely intervention to correct the trajectory contributed to the mission's failure. This highlights the need for robust navigation systems and effective communication protocols to ensure mission success.
Time Constraints and Schedule Pressure:
Space missions often operate under strict time constraints due to various factors, including the alignment of celestial bodies and launch windows. In the case of Chandrayaan 2, the mission deadline was dictated by the lunar day-night cycle, which limited the operational window. The need to adhere to the schedule may have put additional pressure on the mission team, potentially leading to oversight or rushing through critical phases of the mission. It underscores the importance of maintaining a balance between time constraints and thorough testing to minimize the risk of failure.
Complex Nature of Lunar Landing:
Lunar landings are inherently challenging due to the harsh environment and the need for precise navigation and control. The moon's uneven terrain and lack of atmosphere pose unique obstacles to successful landings. Chandrayaan 2 aimed to land in the lunar south-polar region, which had not been previously explored. The complexity of landing in uncharted territory increased the mission's difficulty level and raised the chances of encountering unforeseen challenges. This aspect emphasizes the importance of comprehensive planning, simulation, and risk assessment for future lunar missions.
Setbacks are an essential part of the learning process:
The failure of India's Chandrayaan 2 mission serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and complexities associated with space exploration, particularly lunar missions. Technical glitches, navigation issues, time constraints, and the challenging nature of lunar landings all played a role in the mission's outcome. However, setbacks are an essential part of the learning process, and each failure contributes to the refinement of future missions. The Chandrayaan 2 mission failure prompted India's space agency, ISRO, to reassess and improve its procedures and technologies. It serves as a valuable lesson for the global scientific community, reminding us of the resilience, perseverance, and collaborative efforts required to achieve success in the exploration of space.
India's Chandrayaan-3 successfully takes off:
However, Chandrayaan-3 successfully takes off from Sriharikota, further propelling India's space exploration efforts to new heights. The GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota as per the scheduled launch time.
To know more about it read the following article-
*Chandrayaan-3 successfully takes off from Sriharikota: