Chandrayaan 3: How NASA, ESA and Aussies came together to provide ground support for ISRO’s lunar mission

Chandrayaan 3: How NASA, ESA and Aussies came together to provide ground support for ISRO’s lunar mission

India’s successful launch of ISRO’s Chandrayaan 3 lunar mission has captured global attention, evoking memories of the 2019 launch of Chandrayaan 2. The setback during Chandrayaan 2, when the rover toppled just 2 ft above the ground, brought a wave of emotions to the nation, with every Indian’s heart skipping a beat.

The images of scientists breaking down resonated with the entire country, whether they were present at the launchpad or watching from home on their television sets. The failure of Chandrayaan 2, despite the immense effort put in, only made the nation prouder on July 14, 2023, when Chandrayaan 3 successfully lifted off from Sriharikota.

The success of Chandrayaan 3 is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of our ISRO scientists, whose tears and sweat have paid off. However, it is important to acknowledge the hard work and support of space agencies worldwide that played a crucial role in helping India achieve this remarkable feat.

Collaboration and cooperation among space agencies are critical to advancing space exploration and scientific discoveries. The efforts of international partners have undoubtedly contributed to the success of Chandrayaan 3 and the overall progress of India’s space program.

As we celebrate the achievements of our researchers and scientists, let us also recognize the collective effort and support of the global space community. The collaborative spirit and shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration have paved the way for remarkable accomplishments, inspiring future generations to dream big and reach for the stars.

It is indeed crucial for deep space missions like Chandrayaan-3 to have reliable communication systems in place. Communication plays a vital role in ensuring that operators can stay connected with the spacecraft as it explores the uncertainties and challenges of space.

Collaboration with various space agencies, including European, Australian, and US counterparts of ISRO, highlights the importance of international cooperation in space missions. These collaborations bring together expertise, resources, and ground station capabilities to support the success of such ambitious endeavours.
The European Space Agency (ESA), in reference to the Chandrayaan-3 launch on its portal, rightly emphasizes the significance of ground stations in maintaining communication with spacecraft. Ground stations serve as vital links between operators on Earth and the spacecraft in space, enabling the exchange of data, commands, and information.

Without the support of ground stations, it would be impossible to receive any data from a spacecraft. Ground stations provide crucial information about the spacecraft’s location, status, and data gathered during its mission. This information is essential for assessing the spacecraft’s performance, making necessary adjustments, and ensuring that it is still operational.

The collaboration between ISRO and various international space agencies in terms of ground station support demonstrates the shared commitment to enabling effective communication and data exchange for deep space missions. Such collaboration strengthens the overall mission capabilities and enhances the chances of success.
The significance of ground stations in space exploration cannot be overstated.

These stations form a crucial part of the global network that enables constant communication with spacecraft, ensuring that valuable data is obtained and operations are carried out effectively, even in the vastness of space. It is indeed crucial for deep space missions like Chandrayaan-3 to have reliable communication systems in place. Communication plays a vital role in ensuring that operators can stay connected with the spacecraft as it explores the uncertainties and challenges of space.

Collaboration with various space agencies, including European, Australian, and US counterparts of ISRO, highlights the importance of international cooperation in space missions. These collaborations bring together expertise, resources, and ground station capabilities to support the success of such ambitious endeavours.
The European Space Agency (ESA), about the Chandrayaan-3 launch on its portal, rightly emphasizes the significance of ground stations in maintaining communication with spacecraft. Ground stations serve as vital links between operators on Earth and the spacecraft in space, enabling the exchange of data, commands, and information.

Without the support of ground stations, it would be impossible to receive any kind of data from a spacecraft. Ground stations provide crucial information about the spacecraft’s location, status, and data gathered during its mission. This information is essential for assessing the spacecraft’s performance, making necessary adjustments, and ensuring that it is still operational.

The collaboration between ISRO and various international space agencies in terms of ground station support demonstrates the shared commitment to enabling effective communication and data exchange for deep space missions. Such collaboration strengthens the overall mission capabilities and enhances the chances of success.
The significance of ground stations in space exploration cannot be overstated.

These stations form a crucial part of the global network that enables constant communication with spacecraft, ensuring that valuable data is obtained and operations are carried out effectively, even in the vastness of space.

According to the PTI report, the European Space Agency (ESA) mentioned that ISRO, like many other space agencies and commercial companies worldwide, will receive support from partner organizations’ ground stations instead of building their dedicated stations. This approach not only helps significantly reduce costs but also fosters international collaboration in spaceflight.

Collaborating with partner organizations and leveraging their existing ground stations allows ISRO to benefit from established infrastructure and expertise without the need for additional investments in building and maintaining dedicated stations. This cooperative approach promotes cost-efficiency and optimizes resources for space missions.

Moreover, the utilization of partner organizations’ ground stations promotes international collaboration in spaceflight endeavours. By working together, space agencies and commercial entities from different countries can share knowledge, technologies, and resources, advancing space exploration and fostering stronger relationships among the global space community.

The decision to rely on partner organizations’ ground stations highlights the mutual support and cooperation within the international space sector. It is a testament to the shared goal of advancing scientific understanding, expanding human presence in space, and unlocking the mysteries of the universe through collaborative efforts.
By leveraging the capabilities of partner organizations’ ground stations, ISRO can ensure reliable and efficient communication with its spacecraft while also fostering a spirit of international cooperation and collaboration in the pursuit of space exploration.

The 15-meter antenna located in Kourou, French Guiana, will be used to track the spacecraft, enabling the assessment of its condition and confirming its successful launch.
In addition to ESA’s support, tracking assistance will also be coordinated with the 32-meter antenna operated by Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd in the UK. This collaboration between ESA and Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd further enhances the tracking capabilities for Chandrayaan-3, ensuring comprehensive coverage and reliable communication with the spacecraft.

The involvement of ESA and the use of their antenna in Kourou, as well as coordination with Goonhilly Earth Station, exemplify the international collaboration and support that underpins space missions. By leveraging existing tracking infrastructure and partnering with organizations possessing specialized capabilities, ISRO can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of tracking Chandrayaan-3.

Tracking support from multiple locations helps in monitoring the spacecraft’s trajectory, position, and overall health, ensuring that it has successfully withstood the stresses of the launch phase. This information is critical for mission control to confirm the well-being of the spacecraft and its readiness for further operations.

The collaboration between ISRO, ESA, and Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd in tracking Chandrayaan-3 highlights the cooperative nature of space exploration and the shared commitment to the success of such missions. Through international collaboration and pooling of resources, the global space community can work together to achieve significant milestones and advance our understanding of the universe.Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd will play a crucial role in supporting the lander and facilitating the safe transmission of science data acquired by the rover during the lunar surface operations of Chandrayaan-3.

Goonhilly’s involvement indicates that it will receive the data from the lander, along with the support provided by the 15-meter antenna in Kourou. This data will then be forwarded to the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). From ESOC, the data will be transmitted to ISRO in India for further analysis and scientific study.
This collaborative approach ensures that the acquired science data is securely and efficiently transferred from the lunar lander to ISRO, allowing for comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the data.

The involvement of Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, in coordination with Kourou and ESOC, underscores the importance of international cooperation in facilitating the successful transmission and sharing of scientific data obtained during space missions. By leveraging the capabilities of different facilities and organizations, the scientific community can work together to maximize the scientific outcomes and discoveries from lunar surface operations.NASA’s Deep Space Network, which consists of several tracking facilities worldwide, including the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, is also providing support for the mission.

The Deep Space Network plays a critical role in maintaining communication with spacecraft throughout their missions, ensuring continuous tracking and communication with Chandrayaan-3. The Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, as part of the Deep Space Network, received signals from Chandrayaan-3 at 3:31 pm, indicating successful communication between the spacecraft and the ground station.

The acknowledgement from the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, tweeting, “Good hear from you #Chandrayaan3,” highlights the collaborative efforts and shares enthusiasm in supporting this lunar mission.

The collective support from multiple stations, including the European and NASA facilities, along with ISRO’s own stations, ensures comprehensive tracking coverage and uninterrupted communication with Chandrayaan-3. This collaboration demonstrates the global cooperation and coordination necessary for successful space missions and underlines the shared commitment to advancing our knowledge of the Moon and space exploration.

By leveraging the combined capabilities of different ground stations and space agencies, the operators of Chandrayaan-3 can stay connected to their spacecraft, enabling continuous monitoring, data transmission, and scientific exploration.