ISRO Successfully Performs Orbit Reduction Manoeuvre, Brings Chandrayaan-3 Closer to Moon

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone in its Chandrayaan-3 mission on Sunday as it successfully performed an orbit reduction manoeuvre, bringing the spacecraft closer to the Moon. The GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle, which carried the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, underwent the planned manoeuvre to retrofit its engines and adjust its orbit. As a result, the spacecraft’s new orbit is now at an altitude of 170 km x 4313 km from the Moon’s surface.

ISRO revealed that the next operation to further reduce the orbit is scheduled for August 9, between 13:00 and 14:00 hours IST. This critical manoeuvre aims to fine-tune the spacecraft’s trajectory and position it optimally for its lunar mission.

Shortly after the orbit reduction manoeuvre, Chandrayaan-3 captured stunning images of the lunar surface during the Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) on August 5, 2023. These images were later released by the mission’s official Twitter handle, showcasing India’s progress in lunar exploration.

The Moon, as viewed by #Chandrayaan3 spacecraft during Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) on August 5, 2023.#ISRO pic.twitter.com/xQtVyLTu0c

— LVM3-M4/CHANDRAYAAN-3 MISSION (@chandrayaan_3) August 6, 2023

The spacecraft has covered about two-thirds of the distance to the Moon since its successful launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on July 14. Upon landing on the lunar surface, the spacecraft is designed to operate for one lunar day, which is equivalent to approximately 14 Earth days.

It is worth noting that Chandrayaan-3’s development phase began in January 2020, with the initial launch planned for 2021. However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused unforeseen delays in the mission’s progress. Nevertheless, the successful orbit reduction manoeuvre marks a significant step towards achieving India’s ambition to conduct a safe and soft landing on the Moon.

Chandrayaan-3 represents ISRO’s follow-up attempt after the Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges during its soft landing on the lunar surface in 2019 and was eventually deemed to have failed its core mission objectives. With Chandrayaan-3, India aims to become only the fourth country to achieve a successful lunar landing, joining the ranks of the US, China, and Russia in lunar exploration.

The approved cost of the Chandrayaan-3 mission is Rs 250 crore, excluding the launch vehicle cost, reflecting India’s commitment to advancing its space exploration capabilities. As ISRO continues its efforts to explore the Moon’s mysteries, the world eagerly awaits the outcomes of this ambitious lunar mission.