The Hindu Editorial (Second moonshot) – Jul 11, 2023

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The Hindu Editorial (Second moonshot) – Jul 11, 2023:

moonshot (adjective) – it is literally an act of launching a spacecraft to the moon. (It’s figuratively used to signify a big, ambitious project which is very challenging/tough to achieve; a lofty goal).
Chandrayaan-3 (noun) – Chandrayaan-3 is the third lunar exploration mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), after Chandrayaan-1 (launched on October 22, 2008) & Chandrayaan-2 (launched on 22 July 2019). Chandrayaan-3 is to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. It consists of Lander and Rover configuration. It will be launched by LVM3 from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota on July 14, 2023. The Chandrayaan-3 will reach the lunar orbit almost a month after its launch, and its lander, Vikram, and rover, Pragyaan, are likely to land on the Moon on August 23. Notably, the landing site of the latest mission is more or less the same as the Chandrayaan-2: near the south pole of the moon at 70 degrees latitude.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) (noun) – Indian Space Research Organisation, formed in 1969, superseded the erstwhile Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). Vikram Sarabhai, having identified the role and importance of space technology in a Nation’s development, provided ISRO with the necessary direction to function as an agent of development. ISRO then embarked on its mission to provide the Nation space-based services and to develop the technologies to achieve the same independently.
onboard (adjective) – on or in a spacecraft/aircraft or other vehicle.
Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III) (noun) – LVM3 is the new heavy lift launch vehicle of ISRO for achieving a 4000 kg spacecraft launching capability to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit). LVM3 is configured as a three stage vehicle with two solid strap-on motors (S200), one liquid core stage (L110) and a high thrust cryogenic upper stage (C25). The overall length of the vehicle is 43.5 m with a gross lift-off weight of 640 tonnes and a 5m-diameter payload fairing.
largely (adverb) – mostly, mainly, generally.
replica (noun) – an exact copy/model of something; replication, reproduction.
predecessor (noun) – (of a machine/vehicle) previous model.
orbiter (noun) – a spacecraft designed to go into orbit of a planet or other celestial body without landing on its surface.
lander (Vikram) (noun) – a spacecraft designed to land on the surface of a planet/moon. A lander is immobile, and maintains its fixed position once it has landed.
rover (Pragyan) (noun) – a space exploration vehicle designed to move and explore the surface of a planet or moon. A rover is mobile, and has wheels with which it can move.
bear (verb) – carry something; bring, take.
execute (verb) – perform, carry out, achieve, acoomplish.
descent (noun) – an act of moving downwards; going down, coming down.
dispersion (noun) – it is a measure for the deviation of the rocket’s trajectory from the trajectory of some standard rocket, called nominal trajectory. For a rocket, dispersion arises from three different sources: events that occur at launching, events during burning after launching, and events after burning. For rockets, most of the dispersion arises during the burning period after launching.
propulsion (noun) – it means to push forward or drive an object forward. A propulsion system is a machine that produces thrust to push an object forward.
payload (noun) – it can be a satellite, space probe, or spacecraft carrying instruments and others which are (not fuels) used for a rocket’s operation.
elliptical (adjective) – oval-shaped, egg-shaped.
elliptical orbit (noun) – an elliptical orbit is the revolving of one object around another in an oval-shaped path called an ellipse. An elliptical orbit is defined by its long and short axes.
low-earth orbit (LEO)/circular orbit (noun) – an object circles around the earth at lower altitudes (of 2,000 km (1,200 mi) or less). A circular orbit is defined by its radius.
take over (phrasal verb) – assume control of, take control of, assume responsibility for.
pilot (verb) – direct, steer, lead, guide, operate.
manoeuvre (noun) – activity, plan, operation (carefully planned).
culminate (verb) – end with, finish with, terminate with, conclude with, come to an end with.
thrust (noun) – force, propulsion, impetus, impulse, impulsion, push.
landing sequence (noun) – the order in which spacecraft/aircraft are positioned for landing.
soft-landing (noun) – a landing by a spacecraft on the moon or a planet without any damage/destruction incurred to the vehicle.
soft-land (verb) – (of a spacecraft) to land on the moon or a planet without any damage/destruction incurred to the vehicle.
lunar (adjective) – it refers to the Moon.
end to end (adjective) – relating to a process that takes a system or service from beginning to end and delivers a complete functional solution.
capability (noun) – ability, capacity, potentiality, competence.
consequence (noun) – result, outcome, aftermath, repercussion, ramification.
play out (phrasal verb) – happen, occur, take place, transpire.
Artemis Accords (noun) – NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, established the Artemis Accords in 2020 together with seven other founding member nations. The purpose of these Accords is to establish a common vision via a practical set of principles, guidelines, and best practices to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space with the intention of advancing the Artemis Program.
accord (noun) – pact, agreement, treaty, compact.
backdrop (noun) – situation, scenario, context.
feat (noun) – achievement, accomplishment, attainment, master stroke.
overstate (verb) – exaggerate, overemphasize, amplify.
slew (noun) – a large number of, lot, range.
in the works (phrase) – being planned; under development; in progress.
establishment (noun) – setting up, formation, creation, foundation.
geopolitical (adjective) – relating to (the study of) the geographical factors (a country’s position on the earth, size, climate, and natural resources &, etc.) in world politics and inter-state relations.
axis (noun) – alliance, coalition, bloc, league, union.
The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) (noun) – it is a planned lunar base currently being led by Roscosmos (Russian Space Agency (RSA)) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
to date (phrase) – up to the present time, until now.
geologically (adverb) – in a way that is connected with geology (the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them).
profile (verb) – outline, depict, describe; shape or represent (something).
milieu (noun) – situation, environment, background, backdrop, scenario.