Chandrayaan-3 launch in 2021 without orbiter
                     Chandrayaan-3 
Launch in 2021 
without Orbiter
Introduction
• Chandrayaan-3, India's Moon mission, is expected to commence 
early in 2021, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Sunday. 
• Unlike Chandrayaan-2, though, it won't have an orbiter but will have 
a lander and a rover. 
Source: The Financial Express
What is Orbiter?
• A spacecraft intended to go into orbit, in particular one that will not 
land later on. 
• The Orbiter is both the heart and brain of the Space Transport 
System.
Source: MoneyControl
Issue Related to Chandrayan
• In September last year, after Chandrayaan-2's hard landing, space 
agency ISRO had scheduled another flight to the Moon later this 
year. 
• The coronavirus pandemic and the lockout, however, have affected 
many ISRO ventures and delayed missions like Chandrayaan-3 as 
well.
Source: BBC
Specialty
• As for Chandrayaan-3, it can now be launched somewhere in early 
2021. 
• Chandrayaan-3 will be a Chandrayaan-2 mission repeat, and will 
have a Chandrayaan-2-like Lander and Rover, but will not have an 
orbiter. 
Source: Firstpost
First Nation!!!
• Planned to land on the Moon's South Pole on July 22 of last year, 
Chandrayaan-2 was launched. 
• But on September 7, the lander Vikram hard-landed, crushing India 's 
dream of becoming the first nation to successfully touch down on the 
lunar surface in its maiden attempt.
Source: Aerospace Technology
Moon’s Surface
• The indication of this discovery is that while the Moon 's surface is 
known to have iron-rich minerals, the presence of water and oxygen, 
which are the two elements required to interact with iron to produce 
rust, is not known. 
Source: YouTube
NASA’s View
• Scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA) say this could be because the Earth's own atmosphere lends a 
helping hand, suggesting the Earth's atmosphere could also shield the 
Moon.
Source: Indian Express
ISRO’s Data
• Recently, ISRO data have indicated that Moon could rust. In the study 
it is stated that the moon turns slightly red, indicating that on its 
surface, particularly at the poles, there is a formation of a reddish-
black mineral type of iron called hematite.
Source: WION
Mission Gaganyaan
• Meanwhile, he said, preparations for India's first-ever Gaganyaan 
Human Space mission are under way. 
• There are also preparation programmes, and other protocols in 
operation. 
Source: Education Satguru
Conclusion
• "Constraints due to the COVID pandemic have led to some disruption 
of the Gaganyaan programme, but efforts are underway to adhere to 
the timetable of around 2022," said the minister.
Source: CNN