2023 · GS Paper 3 · Q16 · 15 marks
What is the main task of India's third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the 'Virtual Launch Control Centre' at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota.
In short
Chandrayaan-3's main task was the safe soft landing that Chandrayaan-2's lander failed in 2019, achieved before only by the Soviet Union, the USA and China. On 23 August 2023, Vikram landed near 69.4°S, making India the first country near the lunar south pole.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 296 words
Chandrayaan-3 landed near 69.4°S on 23 August 2023, completing what Chandrayaan-2 could not after its lander Vikram crashed on 7 September 2019.
Main Task and the Countries That Achieved It
1. Safe Soft Landing: The unmet task was a controlled soft landing with roving and in-situ experiments; ISRO added a larger landing zone, sturdier legs, more fuel and a Laser Doppler Velocimeter. 2. The Soft-Landing Club: Only the Soviet Union (Luna 9, 1966), the United States (Surveyor 1, 1966; Apollo) and China (Chang'e 3, 2013) had done it; India became the fourth and the first near the south pole, and Japan's SLIM the fifth in 2024.
Subsystems of the Spacecraft Launched
LVM3-M4 lifted the 3,900 kg module from Sriharikota on 14 July 2023.
Chandrayaan-3 Integrated Module → Propulsion Module → SHAPE → Vikram Lander → ChaSTE, ILSA → RAMBHA-LP, LRA → Pragyan Rover → APXS, LIBS
1. Propulsion and Lander: The propulsion module carried Vikram to a 100 km lunar orbit and hosts SHAPE; Vikram's four throttleable engines and hazard cameras enabled autonomous descent, and its payloads measured surface temperature, moonquakes and plasma. 2. Pragyan Rover: The 26 kg rover's LIBS confirmed sulphur near the south pole.
Remote Expert Presence
It mirrored Sriharikota's checkout and countdown data to VSSC, where LVM3 is designed, so designers tracked vehicle health in real time.
Faster, Safer Decisions
Specialists could analyse anomalies and advise the launch authorisation team at once, adding a redundant monitoring node.
Next Missions
The Chandrayaan-4 sample return approved in 2024 and LUPEX with Japan should build on this heritage.
This model answer is indicative and the model can make mistakes; please verify key facts independently.
Practise this question
1Get the answer sheet
Sized for this question.
2Write your answer
Timed, by hand.
3Get it marked
Your score and what to fix.
This chapter in the exam
Space8 questions
Asked in 8 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026Mention salient features of 'Mission Drishti'. Discuss the imaging techniques used in the satellite launched on 3rd May 2026. Why it is being considered world's first satellite of its kind? (Answer in 250 words)
- 2024What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe?
All 8 questions, sorted by sub-topic, with model answers and practice.
Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.