India's lunar exploration has made significant strides with its Chandrayaan missions, each contributing uniquely to our understanding of the Moon. These missions have not only showcased India’s technological capabilities but have also opened new avenues for scientific research.
Launched in 2008, Chandrayaan-1 was India's inaugural lunar mission. Its primary objective was to study the Moon's surface and composition through remote sensing. This mission was groundbreaking for its discovery of water molecules on the lunar surface, a finding that has implications for future lunar exploration.
In 2019, Chandrayaan-2 was launched with a focus on exploring the Moon's south pole. It comprised an orbiter, lander (Vikram), and rover (Pragyaan). The orbiter continues to provide valuable data, though the Vikram lander unfortunately crash-landed due to a last-minute technical glitch.
Chandrayaan-3, launched in 2023, marked a significant achievement with its successful soft landing near the Moon's south pole. Unlike its predecessor, this mission included only the Vikram lander and the Pragyaan rover, demonstrating India's enhanced capabilities in achieving a precise lunar landing.
Looking ahead, Chandrayaan-4 is expected to launch in 2027 as a sample-return mission. This mission aims to collect lunar soil and rock samples, bringing them back to Earth for in-depth scientific analysis, which could provide insights into the Moon's geology.
Recently approved, Chandrayaan-5 will be conducted in collaboration with Japan. This mission is unique as it plans to deploy a larger 250-kg rover to study the Moon’s surface, expanding the scope and depth of lunar research.
Overall, these missions reflect India's commitment to space exploration, driven by curiosity and determination. As we look to the future, the potential for new discoveries in our solar system continues to grow.
Q1. What was the objective of Chandrayaan-1?
Answer: Chandrayaan-1 aimed to study the Moon's surface and composition using remote sensing. Its major achievement was discovering water molecules on the Moon, significantly impacting lunar research.
Q2. What were the achievements of Chandrayaan-2?
Answer: Chandrayaan-2 included an orbiter, lander, and rover, aiming to explore the Moon's south pole. Despite the orbiter's success, the Vikram lander crash-landed during descent due to a technical failure.
Q3. What made Chandrayaan-3 successful?
Answer: Chandrayaan-3 successfully achieved a soft landing near the Moon's south pole in 2023, demonstrating India's capabilities with a lander and rover, without an orbiter.
Q4. What is the objective of Chandrayaan-4?
Answer: Scheduled for launch in 2027, Chandrayaan-4 aims to collect lunar soil and rock samples to bring back to Earth for detailed analysis, enhancing our understanding of the Moon.
Q5. What is unique about Chandrayaan-5?
Answer: Chandrayaan-5, approved for collaboration with Japan, will deploy a larger 250-kg rover for lunar surface studies, expanding the scope of India's lunar exploration efforts.
Question 1: What was the major discovery of Chandrayaan-1?
A) Helium on the Moon
B) Water molecules on the Moon
C) Moon's volcanic activity
D) Lunar dust composition
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What was the main goal of Chandrayaan-2?
A) To orbit Mars
B) To explore the Moon's south pole
C) To study asteroids
D) To land on Venus
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Which mission successfully landed in 2023?
A) Chandrayaan-2
B) Chandrayaan-3
C) Chandrayaan-4
D) Chandrayaan-5
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What will Chandrayaan-4 aim to do?
A) Explore Mars
B) Collect lunar samples
C) Study the Earth's atmosphere
D) Launch a satellite
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What is a unique feature of Chandrayaan-5?
A) It will orbit Jupiter
B) It involves collaboration with Japan
C) It has no rover
D) It only studies asteroids
Correct Answer: B
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