Related: Watch Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan rover take its ‘1st steps’ on the moon (video)
Why are countries like India seeking to go to the moon?
Countries are fascinated about going to the moon because it will possibly encourage people, test the boundaries of human technical capabilities and permit us to find more about our solar system.
The moon has a historical and cultural significance that basically seems to resonate with people – anyone on the planet can look up on the night sky, see the moon and understand how amazing it’s that a spacecraft built by humans is roaming across the surface.
The moon also presents a novel opportunity to have interaction in each international cooperation and competition in a peaceful, but highly visible, way.
The incontrovertible fact that so many countries – the US, Russia, China, India, Israel – and even business entities are fascinated about landing on the moon implies that there are a lot of opportunities to forge latest partnerships.
These partnerships can allow nations to do more in space by pooling resources, and so they encourage more peaceful cooperation here on Earth by connecting individual researchers and organizations.
There are some individuals who also consider that exploration of the moon can provide economic advantages. Within the near term, this might include the emergence of startup corporations working on space technology and contributing to those missions. India has seen a surge in space startups recently.
Eventually, the moon may provide economic advantages based on the natural resources that could be found there, corresponding to water, helium-3 and rare Earth elements.
Are we seeing latest global interest in space?
Over the previous couple of a long time, weve seen a major increase within the number of countries involved in space activity. This may be very apparent in terms of satellites that collect imagery or data concerning the Earth, for instance. Greater than 60 nations have been involved in most of these satellite missions. Now were seeing this trend expand to space exploration, and particularly the moon.
In some ways, the interest within the moon is driven by similar goals as in the primary space race within the Sixties – demonstrating technological capabilities and galvanizing young people and most people. Nonetheless, this time it’s not only two superpowers competing in a race. Now we now have many participants, and while there may be still a competitive element, there may be also a chance for cooperation and forging latest international partnerships to explore space.
Also, with all these latest actors and the technical advances of the last 60 years, there may be the potential to have interaction in more sustainable exploration. This might include constructing moon bases, developing ways to make use of lunar resources and eventually engaging in economic activities on the moon based on natural resources or tourism.
How does India’s mission compare with moon missions in other countries?
Indias accomplishment is the primary of its kind and really exciting, but its value noting that its considered one of seven missions currently operating on and across the moon.
Along with Indias Chandrayaan-3 rover near the south pole, there may be also South Korea’s Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter, which is studying the moons surface to discover future landing sites; the NASA-funded CAPSTONE spacecraft, which was developed by a space startup company; and NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The CAPSTONE craft is studying the steadiness of a novel orbit across the moon, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is collecting data concerning the moon and mapping sites for future missions.
Also, while India Chandrayaan-2 rover crashed, the accompanying orbiter continues to be operational. China Chang’e-4 and Chang’e-5 landers are still operating on the moon as well.
Other nations and business entities are working to hitch in. Russia Luna-25 mission crashed into the moon three days before the Chandrayaan-3 landed, however the incontrovertible fact that Russia developed the rover and got so close continues to be a major achievement.
The identical may very well be said for the lunar lander built by the private Japanese space company ispace. The lander crashed into the moon in April 2023.
Why decide to explore the south pole of the moon?
The south pole of the moon is the realm where nations are focused for future exploration. All of NASA 13 candidate landing locations for the Artemis program are situated near the south pole.
This area offers the best potential to seek out water ice, which may very well be used to support astronauts and to make rocket fuel. It also has peaks which might be in constant or near-constant sunlight, which creates excellent opportunities for generating power to support lunar activities.