Part of Seek Reboot Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice – 10 October 2024
Why the Question?
UPSC PYQ – CSE Mains – 2023
Keywords of the Question
- Main task of India’s third moon mission – not achieved in its earlier mission
- Countries that have achieved this task
- Subsystems in the spacecraft launched
- Role of the Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Directive Word
Explain – Clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular context. Your writing should have clarity so that complex procedures or sequences of events can be understood; defining key terms where appropriate, and be substantiated with relevant research.
What – When a question begins with “What,” it typically requires you to provide a clear and concise explanation or description of the subject matter without delving into analysis or evaluation.
List – Requires you to provide a series of items or points related to the topic in a concise and straightforward manner. Each item should be mentioned without any detailed explanation or analysis. The focus is on enumeration rather than elaboration.
How to approach this Question?
Introduction
- Brief Overview: Start with a brief introduction to India’s lunar missions, focusing on Chandrayaan-3.
Body
- Objective: Mention the main task of Chandrayaan-3, which is to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon’s surface, a goal that Chandrayaan-2 could not accomplish.
- Countries Achieving Soft Landing:
- List the countries that have successfully achieved a soft landing on the Moon: USA, Soviet Union (Russia), China, and India.
- Subsystems in Chandrayaan-3:
- Propulsion Module: Designed for future exploration missions.
- Vikram Lander:
- RAMBHA: Measures near-surface plasma density.
- ChaSTE: Conducts thermal property measurements.
- ILSA: Measures lunar seismic activity.
- LRA: Passive experiment system for lunar research.
- Pragyan Rover:
- LIBS: Determines chemical composition using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.
- Role of Virtual Launch Control Centre:
- Explain how the Virtual Launch Control Centre at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre facilitated the successful launch from Sriharikota, ensuring real-time monitoring and control.
Conclusion
- Summarize: Conclude by summarizing the significance of Chandrayaan-3’s achievements and its contributions to India’s space exploration capabilities.
- Future Prospects: Briefly mention the potential future missions and advancements in space technology inspired by Chandrayaan-3’s success.
Note: Please note that the following ‘answers’ are not ‘model answers’ nor are they synopses in the strictest sense. Instead, they are content designed to meet the demands of the question while providing comprehensive coverage of the topic.
Answer Key
Introduction
India’s third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, aimed to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon’s surface, a task that Chandrayaan-2 could not accomplish due to the lander’s failure. This mission is a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts, demonstrating advancements in technology and scientific research.
Body
- Main Task of Chandrayaan-3:
- The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 was to demonstrate the capability of a safe and soft landing on the Moon’s surface, particularly at the Moon’s south pole. This mission also aimed to conduct rover operations and perform on-site scientific experiments.
- Countries Achieving Soft Landing:
- USA: Achieved the first successful soft landing with the Apollo missions.
- Soviet Union (Russia): Accomplished soft landings with the Luna missions.
- China: Successfully landed with the Chang’e missions.
- India: Achieved a soft landing with Chandrayaan-3.
- Subsystems in Chandrayaan-3:
- Propulsion Module:
- SHAPE: Designed for future exploration missions, focusing on discovering smaller planets and identifying exoplanets within habitable zones.
- Vikram Lander:
- RAMBHA: Measures near-surface plasma density (ions and electrons) and monitors changes over time.
- ChaSTE: Conducts thermal property measurements of the lunar surface near the polar region.
- ILSA: Measures lunar seismic activity around the landing site, providing insights into the Moon’s crust and mantle structure.
- LRA: A passive experiment system for lunar research.
- Pragyan Rover:
- LIBS: Utilizes Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy to determine the chemical composition of the Moon’s surface.
- Propulsion Module:
- Role of Virtual Launch Control Centre:
- The Virtual Launch Control Centre at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre played a crucial role in the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 from Sriharikota. This center facilitated real-time monitoring and control, ensuring the mission’s success by providing a robust platform for managing the complex launch operations.
Conclusion
Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing marks a significant achievement for India’s space program, showcasing its technological prowess and scientific capabilities. This mission not only enhances India’s position in lunar exploration but also paves the way for future interplanetary missions. The collaborative efforts and advanced technologies employed, including the Virtual Launch Control Centre, underscore the importance of innovation and precision in space exploration.
Read more about Moon Missions here
Mind Map
