Chandrayaan­3

Context: 

The Chandrayaan­3 lander has successfully completed the crucial EMI/EMC (electro­magnetic interference/ electro­magnetic compatibility) test at the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre.

About EMI/­EMC Test:

• The EMI/­EMC test is conducted to ensure the functionality of the satellite subsystems in the space environment and their compatibility with the expected electromagnetic levels.

Chandrayaan-3:

• It is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. 
• It consists of Lander and Rover configuration. 
• It will be launched by GSLV MkIII from Sriharikota. 
• The propulsion module has Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study the spectral and polarimetric measurements of Earth from lunar orbit.

Lander payloads: 

• Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature; 
• Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for measuring the seismicity around the landing site; 
• Langmuir Probe (LP) to estimate the plasma density and its variations.
• A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.

Rover Payloads: 

• Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for deriving the elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site.

What was the Chandrayaan-2 Mission ?

• Chandrayaan-2 consisted of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover, all equipped with scientific instruments to study the moon.
• The Orbiter would watch the moon from a 100-km orbit, while the Lander and Rover modules were to be separated to make a soft landing on the moon’s surface.
• ISRO had named the Lander module as Vikram, after Vikram Sarabhai, the pioneer of India’s space programme, and the Rover module as Pragyaan, meaning wisdom.
• It was sent aboard the country’s most powerful geosynchronous launch vehicle, the GSLV-Mk 3.
• However, lander Vikram, instead of a controlled landing, ended up crash-landing and prevented rover Pragyaan from successfully travelling on the surface of the moon.

News Source: The Hindu,  isro.gov.in

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