History of 15th July- ISRO and Chandrayaan 3
This article delves into the history of 15th July, highlighting significant events such as the reburial of Saint Swithun, the capture of Jerusalem during the first crusade, and the first steamboat voyage. It then shifts focus to India’s space research, specifically the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the role of Chayan Dutta, who leads the launch control operations.
The history of 15th July begins with the news dating back to the year 971. It is more of a belief than news. It was this day when Saint Swithun was reburied inside Winchester Cathedral (against his wishes), whereby a terrible storm proceeded to rain for 40 days and nights. This was also the day when Jerusalem was captured and plundered by Christian forces during the first crusade in the year 1099. The history of 15th July continues with the news of the execution of John Ball, a leader in the Peasants’ Revolt in the year 1381. Furthermore, the history of 15th July takes us to the year 1783 when on this day World’s first steamboat the Pyroscaphe, built by Claude-François-Dorothée, Marquis de Jouffroy d’Abbans, makes its first voyage on the river Saône in France.
More significant events from the history of 15th July are the first Buddhist temple in the USA was built in the year 1904, Emil Kreplin named Alzheimer’s disease after Alois Alzheimer. in the year 1910, and the first motor bus service was started in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the year 1915.
With this, I come to the feature story from the history of 15th July.
India’s space research
On this day in the year 2011 somewhere in Assam a young man was glued to the television set as India successfully put the advanced communication satellite GSAT-12 into space orbit by a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
He saw how Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17), on its nineteenth flight, launched India’s communication satellite GSAT-12 from the Second Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, Sriharikota, India.
He also noted the details like PSLV-C17 was measuring 44.5 m in height, had a lift-off weight of 320 tonnes, and had four stages of solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately.
In its XL Version, PSLV-XL uses six extended solid strap-on motors wherein each strap-on carries 12 tonnes of solid propellant. This is the second time such a configuration is being flown, the earlier one being the PSLV-C11/Chandrayaan-I mission.
Who knew that this man 12 years later would be leading the launch control operations for what seems like one of the biggest achievements in Indian space research if successful? So today instead of an event from the past I bring to you an event that will make history one day. I present to you Chayan Dutta and his Chandrayan 3.
Chayan Dutta has been entrusted with the crucial task of leading the launch control operations for Chandrayaan-3, India’s lunar mission. Launched at 2:35 pm on July 14, this mission marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts. Chandrayaan-3 has been equipped with enhanced fuel capacity, robust safety measures, and a larger landing site. Embracing a unique “failure-based design” approach, the mission aims to ensure a successful moon landing, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Chayan Dutta is a highly accomplished alumnus of Tezpur University’s Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering. Presently, he serves as a Scientist/Engineer-G at the UR Rao Satellite Centre, Department of Space. In addition to this prestigious role, he holds the esteemed position of Deputy Project Director, leading the “On Board Command Telemetry, Data Handling & Storage System, Lander, Chandrayaan-3” project. As the brains behind the spacecraft, the Command, and Data Handling subsystem is responsible for overseeing all its functions.
Chandrayaan-3 serves as a follow-up to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which encountered a crash landing in September 2019 due to a software glitch. Drawing valuable lessons from past experiences, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman, S Somanath, recently shared that Chandrayaan-3 takes a different design approach. Instead of solely focusing on success, the mission adopts a “failure-based design” philosophy, meticulously addressing potential failure points and implementing measures to safeguard the spacecraft, ultimately ensuring a triumphant lunar landing.
That’s all for today.
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