Chandrayaan-3 gets closer to Moon, achieves near-circular orbit

• Image Credit: Google

• Aug 14, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The maneuver was carried out from the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) in...

Digital Desk: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on August 14 successfully completed another orbit reduction manoeuvre of India's third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3.

The maneuver was carried out from the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru. The spacecraft is now just 177 km away from the moon.

"Orbit circularisation phase commences. Precise manoeuvre performed today has achieved a near-circular orbit of 150 km x 177 km. The next operation is planned for August 16, 2023, around 0830 Hrs. IST," ISRO said after the manoeuvre. The fifth and final orbit reduction manoeuvre will be carried out on August 16.

The Chandrayaan-3 launched on July 14, consists of a lander module (LM), a propulsion module (PM), and a rover.

"As the mission progresses, a series of maneuvers are planned to gradually reduce Chandrayaan-3's orbit and position it over the lunar poles. The propulsion module will separate from the lander while in orbit after a series of maneuvers. Following that, a series of complex braking maneuvers will be performed to enable a smooth landing in the Moon's South Polar zone on August 23, 2023," ISRO stated following the Lunar Orbit Insertion on August 5.

The separation of the PM and LM would take place on August 17. Before the power descent phase for soft-landing on the moon, a series of deboost maneuvers are also planned. The lander is scheduled to touch down on the moon's surface on August 23 at around 5.47 p.m.