Chandrayaan-3: How ISRO achieved to land on the moon with 75 million USD

New Delhi: Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar exploration endeavor orchestrated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has not only captured the nation’s imagination but also garnered international attention for its groundbreaking budget efficiency. Launched on July 14, 2023, from the iconic Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the mission’s progress has been closely monitored since its inception.

A Landmark Lunar Touchdown

The pinnacle moment in Chandrayaan-3’s journey was marked on August 17, 2023, when its lander, Vikram, embarked on its lunar descent after a successful separation from its propulsion. The mission had its sights set on a soft landing at the moon’s south pole, precisely scheduled for August 23, 2023, at 6:04 pm (IST).

With a triumphant soft landing, India joins an exclusive league of nations that have achieved the feat. Becoming the fourth nation worldwide to accomplish a successful lunar landing, India follows in the footsteps of the United States, Russia, and China.

While Chandrayaan-3’s technological achievement has garnered acclaim, its thrifty budget management has drawn widespread global attention. Remarkably, India’s investment in Chandrayaan-3 amounts to a mere 75 million USD (approximately Rs. 615 crores). This stands in stark contrast to the financial outlay of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, which incurred costs of Rs. 978 crores (approximately 142 million USD). Notably, Chandrayaan-2 encountered an unfortunate setback due to a software glitch that hindered communication, leading to the lander’s crash on the moon.

ISRO’s response to adversity demonstrated resilience and determination. Learning from the challenges faced during Chandrayaan-2, ISRO embarked on Chandrayaan-3 with unwavering commitment, effectively slashing the mission’s budget.

What garnered international acclaim was how Chandrayaan-3’s budget compared to the colossal investments typical of Hollywood films. With a budget of 75 million USD, Chandrayaan-3 costs less than a plethora of notable Hollywood productions. Iconic films such as “Avatar: The Way of Water” (350 million USD), “Avengers: Infinity War” (325 million USD), “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (275 million USD), and “John Carter” (264 million USD) all surpassed Chandrayaan-3’s budget.

ISRO’s resilience 

The frugality demonstrated by ISRO captured global attention. An article by the renowned news agency Newsthink highlighted Chandrayaan-3’s budget, drawing a parallel between its cost and the acclaimed film “Interstellar” directed by Christopher Nolan.

The article swiftly went viral on social media, including X (formerly Twitter), and even garnered a response from Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX. Musk commended India’s achievement with a succinct “Good for India.”

Decoding ISRO’s Budget Success

While the exact mechanisms behind ISRO’s budget efficiency remain undisclosed, reports suggest a combination of indigenous technologies and strategic partnerships with global counterparts contributed to the cost-effective outcome. According to ISRO Chairman K Sivan, each rupee invested in Chandrayaan-3 was meticulously utilized to ensure optimal outcomes.

As India celebrates the technological and budgetary triumph of Chandrayaan-3, the mission stands as a testament to India’s prowess in space exploration and its ability to achieve exceptional results while exercising fiscal prudence.