ISRO: Chandrayaan-3 Completes Earth Orbit-Raise
Chandrayaan-3, India's third moon mission, has achieved significant milestones in its journey towards a soft landing on the lunar surface. The spacecraft successfully completed its fifth and final orbit-raising maneuver on Tuesday, as announced by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
The maneuver, known as the Earth-bound perigee firing, was performed from ISTRAC/ISRO in Bengaluru, and it is expected that the spacecraft will attain an orbit of 127,609 km x 236 km. The precise orbit will be confirmed after further observations.
The next crucial step for Chandrayaan-3 is the TransLunar Injection (TLI), which is planned for August 1, between 12 midnight and 1 am IST. During this maneuver, the spacecraft will fire its thrusters to break free from Earth's gravity and set a course towards the Moon. Once it enters the Moon's gravity, it will gradually move into lunar orbit.
Chandrayaan-3's journey toward the Moon involves completing 5-6 circles around it, ultimately reaching the innermost circle. Union Space Minister Jitendra Singh mentioned that in the following ten days, the spacecraft will identify the exact landing spot in the Moon's south pole area.
The primary objectives of Chandrayaan-3 align with those of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2:
- Demonstrate a safe and precise soft landing on the lunar surface: Chandrayaan-3 aims to achieve a controlled landing, showcasing India's capability to navigate and touch down safely on the Moon.
- Showcase the mobility of the Rover on the Moon: The mission will deploy a rover that will explore the lunar surface, demonstrating its mobility and ability to traverse various terrains.
- Perform in-situ scientific experiments: Chandrayaan-3 will conduct experiments on the Moon, collecting data and conducting research to enhance our understanding of the lunar environment and its potential resources.
If all goes according to plan, Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to attempt its soft landing on the lunar surface on August 23 at 5:47 pm IST. However, the timing may be subject to change based on the Moon's sunrise. In case of any delay, ISRO will reschedule the landing, aiming for September.
By successfully achieving its objectives, India will join the esteemed group of nations, including the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China, which have accomplished the remarkable feat of landing on the Moon.
Chandrayaan-3 represents another significant step in India's space exploration journey and its contribution to scientific research on the Moon.
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