Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully reduced the orbit of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third moon mission, in preparation for its upcoming moon landing. The reduction manoeuvre follows the spacecraft’s insertion into the lunar orbit the previous day. ISRO announced that the next orbit reduction operation will take place on August 9. Over the next couple of weeks, three more moon-bound manoeuvres will occur before the landing module separates from the propulsion module. The de-orbiting manoeuvres will then be conducted on the lander, leading to the final descent onto the moon’s surface, which is scheduled for August 23.
Since its launch on July 14, ISRO has been gradually increasing the distance between the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft and the Earth through a series of five moves conducted over three weeks. The aim is to position the spacecraft into progressively farther orbits around the Earth.
By successfully reducing the orbit, ISRO has brought Chandrayaan-3 closer to its ultimate destination, with the current distance being 170 kilometers by 4,313 kilometers from the moon’s surface. The space agency plans to continue manoeuvers in order to further decrease the orbit.
ISRO’s mission involves a soft landing on the moon’s surface, where the spacecraft will attempt to deploy the lander and rover. The landing, scheduled for August 23, is a significant step for India’s space exploration efforts and will mark another important achievement in the country’s scientific endeavors.
The reduction and precision required to navigate and land on the moon’s surface make this mission a challenging and delicate operation. However, ISRO’s strategic approach and careful planning have thus far proved fruitful, boosting hopes for a successful moon landing in the near future.
With each stage of the mission meticulously executed, ISRO demonstrates the expertise and capabilities of India’s space program. The organization’s commitment to advancing space exploration aligns with its broader goals of scientific discovery and technological development. By successfully reducing the orbit of Chandrayaan-3, ISRO brings India one step closer to its next significant space milestone.
