Hanuman’s Leap and Chandrayaan’s Voyage: Resilience in Myth and Moon Missions
The Challenge:
Standing on the mountaintop, Hanuman beheld the grandeur of Lanka. The city, with its lush gardens and golden walls, was a sight to behold. Yet, it was also a fortress, guarded by fierce demons. The enormity of his task, to defeat Ravana and rescue Seetha, seemed almost insurmountable.
Similarly, India’s space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), embarked on an ambitious journey to explore the Moon with the Chandrayaan mission. The goal was to establish India as a significant player in space exploration, but the path was fraught with challenges, much like Hanuman’s mission in Lanka:
The Turning Point:
Hanuman’s mission in Lanka began with a clever strategy-he shrank in size to evade the demon guards, showcasing his adaptability and resourcefulness, His real challenge was to locate Seetha in the vast and opulent city.
Similarly, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-1 mission, launched in 2008, marked India’s first attempt to reach the Moon the mission aimed to map the lunar surface and search for water. Despite being a monumental achievement, the mission faced significant hurdles, including technical challenges and the immense task of coordinating a complex space mission,
The Disappointment and Smart Solutions:
As Hanuman traversed Lanka in search of Seetha, he encountered numerous obstacles and moments of despair. The wealth and joy in Lanka only served to make his mission seem more daunting. Yet, Hanuman did not lose hope. He used his intelligence and strategic thinking to continue his search, eventually finding Seetha in the Ashoka Vatika.
Although Chandrayaan-1 successfully discovered water molecules on the Moon’s surface, it faced its share of disappointments. The mission, originally planned to last two years, ended after just 312 days due to a communication loss with the spacecraft. This was a significant setback for ISRO, much like Hanuman’s challenges in Lanka.
Undeterred, ISRO learned from the Chandrayaan I mission and planned Chandrayaan-2 to explore the lunar south pole further. The mission included an orbiter, a lander named Vikram, and a Pragyan rover. However, in September 2019, as the länder Vikram attempted to descend to the Moon’s surface, it lost communication just 2.1 kilometers above the lunar surface, leading to another moment of profound disappointment.
The Dramatic Outcome:
Despite the setbacks, the spirit of ISRO remained unbroken, much like Hanuman’s. The Chandrayaan-2 orbiter continues to orbit the Moon and send valuable data back to Earth, contributing to lunar science and keeping the mission partially successful. Similarly, Hanuman’s perseverance paid off when he finally found Seetha, reaffirming his faith in his mission and abilities.
Building on these experiences, ISRO launched Chandrayaan-3 on 14 July 2023. The mission consisted of a Vikram lunar lander and a Pragyan lunar rover, similar to those used in Chandrayaan- 2, and a propulsion module to carry the spacecraft from Earth orbit to lunar orbit. Chandrayaan-3 entered lunar orbit on 5 August 2023. On 23 August at 18:03 IST, it made history by becoming the first lander to touch down near the lunar south pole, making India the fourth country to land on the Moon successfully and achieving the southernmost lunar landing at 69″S.
The success of Chandrayaan-3 was a moment of triumph, much like Hanuman’s discovery of Seetha. The lander operated on the lunar surface for twelve days before the lunar night ended the surface mission. Meanwhile, the propulsion module returned to a high Earth orbit for continued scientific observations, showcasing ISRO’s resilience and adaptability.
Reflection:
The story of Hanuman’s journey into Lanka and his eventual success in finding Seetha mirrors the journey of ISRO’s Chandrayaan missions. Just as Hanuman faced numerous obstacles, adapted his strategies, and persevered through moments of doubt, ISRO faced technical challenges, mission failures, and disappointment in its lunar exploration efforts.
However, both stories are also about resilience and determination. Hanuman’s clever tactics and unwavering dedication led to his success, while ISRO’s persistence and willingness to learn from failures paved the way for future achievements in space exploration. The Chandrayaan missions exemplify the spirit of scientific inquiry and the resolve to overcome setbacks, much like Hanuman’s indomitable spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.