Cracking the Code of Cost-Effective Space Missions: The Chandrayaan-3

Cost Control Methodologies

Abstract
In the world of ambitious space endeavors where budgets often
skyrocket, India's Chandrayaan-3 mission stands as a groundbreaking
anomaly. This captivating case study delves deep into the astounding
story of Chandrayaan-3, a lunar mission that defied gravity by staying
firmly within its budgetary bounds while achieving stellar success. This
article explores how ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organization,
masterfully orchestrated this celestial feat, revealing the secrets of cost
control that are poised to redefine project management. Prepare to be
inspired and learn how to conquer cost and schedule challenges in the
grandest of undertakings.

Syed Hafeezuddin
General Manager, Planning & Project Controls
BE, PGDTPPE, MBA, CPM
Exercising Leadership Foundation Principles – Harvard X
Entrepreneurial Opportunities – The University of Adelaide
Sdhafeez1705@gmail.com
Title: Cracking the Code of Cost-Effective Space Missions: The Chandrayaan-3 Paradigm

Introduction

Cost and schedule overruns are the norm in big capital projects. Here’s how to tackle
them.

Executing major projects is always challenging, requiring complex, multilevel

collaboration across an ecosystem of partner organizations and the coordination of
resources at the front line.

India's Chandrayaan-3 mission is a remarkable achievement, not just because it is India's

third lunar mission, but also because it is one of the most cost-effective space missions in
history.

Understanding Chandrayaan-3's Budget:

The approved cost of Chandrayaan-3 is Rs. 250 Crores (Excluding Launch Vehicle Cost)

In 2020, former ISRO chief K Sivan said that the cost of Chandrayaan-3 was around Rs
615 crore. The lander, rover and propulsion module cost Rs 250 crore and the launch
services cost around Rs 365 crore.

An estimated Rs 615 crore has been spent on the project and it is said to be one of the
country’s most cost-effective space missions.

Cost Comparisons with Other Missions:

Luna-25: Russia's Luna-25 mission cost roughly Rs 1,659 crore. The mission
crashed while trying to soft-land on the Moon's south pole.
Chang'e: China's first Chang'e probe to the Moon cost Rs 1,752 crore.

Apollo 11: America's Apollo 11 mission cost more than Luna-25 because it was
the first manned Moon mission in 1969.
 US space program: The US space program's budget is $61.97 billion, which is
3111 percent higher than India's budget of $1.93 billion.

There is a possibility that the mission’s budget has increased considering it was supposed
to be launched in 2021 and has been delayed by two years. But unlike budgets for roads
and infrastructure which escalate massively over time, the cost of India’s moon mission
is likely to have remained under control.

Interestingly, Chandrayaan-2 cost more than Chandrayaan-3. The irst cost India Rs 978
crore, which included Rs 603 crore for the orbiter, lander, rover, navigation and ground
support network. The Geo-stationary Satellite Launch Vehicle cost Rs 375 crore.
Methodologies Adopted to Control Cost:

1. Strict Monitoring, Ef icient Monitoring & Avoid Wastages

Ef icient resource management during the every stage of spacecraft’s development.
By maintaining strict vigil, ISRO aims to prevent any wastage of products, ensuring
optimal utilization of resources.
- Former ISRO chairman Dr K Sivan told The Times of India (TOI) in 2018.
-
2. Indigenisation of Critical Components – A Big factor
ISRO pursues the indigenisation programme for critical components and materials
with industry participation to reduce the dependence on import. The Indian industry
is contributing signi icantly to the designing, manufacturing and testing of
components and material as well as sub-systems as per ISRO's requirements.
L&T, Godrej Aerospace, Tata Consulting Engineers Limited, Mishra Dhatu Nigam and
BHEL
A scientist working with the space organisation told Outlook.
3. Adapting to Technology
Another big aspect of keeping costs low is India’s ability to adapt existing space
technologies.
4. Keep Design Simple
Focused discipline engineering, project management, mission operations, and
Safety and Mission Assurance. ISRO also likes to keep things simple. Miniaturization
of complex structures, rigorous quality control and simpli ied systems.
The payload of Mangalyaan was about 15 kg compared to that of the Maven, which
explains the difference in costs. India’s Chandrayaan-3 is less powerful than America’s
Saturn V. It is slower than Russia’s Luna-25.
 5. Taking Calculated Risk
ISRO also knows how to optimise its resources. "There are some tests the Americans
would have done six times and we did only thrice," then ISRO chairman G. Madhavan
Nair had told TOI after the launch of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008. "We scrutinise every
parameter and optimised the tests. Yes, you may call it a calculated risk, but, touch
wood, we have been successful with this approach so far."

ISRO's approach involves a meticulous examination of every parameter, resulting in

the optimization of tests and procedures. This calculated risk-taking allows ISRO to
achieve success while saving resources. The organization doesn't duplicate tests
unnecessarily, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently.

6. Optimising Testing
Optimising tests on such equipment and procedures helped ISRO save a lot.

7. Low cost and best talent: A culture of cost-effectiveness

You must have watched on TV ISRO scientists celebrating right after the Vikram
lander touchdown on Moon yesterday. They looked very ordinary and close-knit. That
also is the secret of ISRO's success and its low costs since the down-to-earth scientists
remain eager to keep budgets on a tight leash.
8. Cohesive Team & Open Culture
We have a cohesive team which has an open culture. It is a culture developed from the
times of Vikram Sarabhai, who used to treat everyone including the cook and the
gardener as friends, then ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair had told.

Does that mean there are no ego clashes between scientists?

"Oh, yes, there may be some, but we thrash out things in the open. For everyone, the
success of our projects is the ultimate goal."

9. A Passionate and Dedicated Team

He said there are no millionaires among ISRO scientists, and they always live a very
normal and subdued life. "They are not really bothered about the money but are
passionate and dedicated to their mission. That is how we achieved greater heights,"
Nair said.

Appreciation from the Global Space Community:

“The thing is that everyone wants to collaborate with agencies that can produce successful
missions. But over the years we have established our place in the global space industry.
We are known to successfully conduct exploratory missions at a much cheaper cost,”
S Somanath, ISRO chief, told HT in an interview.
SpaceX boss Elon Musk has applauded India's Chandrayaan-3 moon mission budget of
$75 million, comparing favorably to Hollywood SciFi movie Interstellar's $165 million
production cost, in response to a tweet.

NASA Instrument Cost Model – NICM

The NASA Instrument Cost Model (NICM) is a suite of tools used to estimate the development cost
of future NASA space light instruments. This includes both remote sensing and in-situ types of
instruments. NICM contains two probabilistic cost estimation tools, the System Tool and the
Subsystem Tool (Figure 1 below). These tools allow users to create cost estimates either from the
top down or the bottom up. The NICM Search Engine completes the suite by enabling users to
estimate cost by analogy methods, relying on NICM’s extensive database of previously lown
space light instruments. NICM is in wide use across many NASA centers and is available under
access release restrictions to external organizations.
Concern:
But low costs are not always a good prospect for ISRO. Cutting down on costs for space
exploration might mean that India is able to collect less data and its missions are quick.
"There are many factors. The entire cycle, the entire process of building a space mission
is compromised," Chaitanya Giri, a fellow for space and ocean studies at Gateway House,
a think tank focussing of India’s global relations, had told Business Insider India in 2019.

Conclusion
ISRO has made significant progress in cracking the code of cost-effective space missions.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a testament to ISRO's ability to achieve ambitious goals
within limited budgets. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks of
cutting costs too much. ISRO needs to strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and
mission success.