CHANDRAYAAN 3 : Why should we explore the moon? | Essay By Nivaan,9, Bangalore

Have you wondered why our scientists conduct moon missions? Have you ever wondered why we persist in exploring the moon when it has no atmosphere?

To answer the above questions,  let’s dive deep into India’s space missions over the past years. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been working hard to reach the Moon and beyond!

Chandrayaan-1, our first Moon mission in 2008, was a huge success. It discovered water molecules on the Moon’s surface, showing that our lunar neighbor is not as dry as we once thought. Isn’t that incredible? We also created a detailed map of the Moon, helping scientists understand its mysteries.

In 2019, we were all excited about Chandrayaan-2! It was like a big space adventure with an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a rover called Pragyan. While Vikram had a bumpy landing and couldn’t talk to us, the orbiter is still going strong, sending valuable data back to Earth!

And guess what? Chandrayaan-3 is now in progress. Chandrayaan-3 is the third and most recent lunar Indian Space Research exploration mission under the Chandrayaan programme. It consists of a lander named Vikram and a rover named Pragyan similar to Chandrayaan-2, but does not have an orbiter. The launch of Chandrayaan-3 took place on 14 July 2023 and lunar injection of a 100 km circular polar orbit was completed successfully as part of phase one. The lander and rover are expected to land near the lunar south pole region on 23 August 2023.

I can’t wait for the exciting discoveries it will bring!

But why are these Moon missions so important? Let me tell you. 

Exploring the Moon, even though it lacks an atmosphere, holds immense scientific value. Its vacuum-like environment provides unique opportunities for research and helps us understand the formation of our solar system better. It allows astronomers to study distant stars, galaxies, and cosmic phenomena with more clarity. 

Every mission reveals new insights and data, helping us understand the Moon better. This is important for future human missions to the Moon and other planets such as Mars. Researching water ice found in other planets is important as they can help support future explorations. 

Space missions inspire us all. They show that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication. As a kid, seeing scientists and engineers achieve such incredible feats motivates me to dream big and work towards my goals. 

India’s Moon missions put us on the global space map. We are showing the world that we have the skills, technology, and spirit to explore the cosmos. It’s like telling the universe, “Hey, we’re here too!”

Lastly, space exploration sparks scientific curiosity. It encourages kids like me to ask questions and seek answers about the wonders of space. Who knows, maybe one of us will become a future space explorer!

In conclusion, India’s Moon missions are not just about reaching a faraway place; they are about unlocking the secrets of the Moon, inspiring future generations, and proudly representing our country on the space stage. As a young space enthusiast, I can’t wait to see what amazing adventures await us in the vastness of space! Let’s keep dreaming big and reaching for the stars together. 

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Image credits- Wikipedia, ISRO