Chandrayaan-3 Successfully Completes Orbit Maneuver, Heads Towards Moon

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone in its Chandrayaan-3 mission with the successful completion of the fifth and final Earth-bound orbit-raising manoeuvre. This successful manoeuvre propels the spacecraft further away from Earth and paves the way for the upcoming TransLunar Injection (TLI).

After the manoeuvre, ISRO reported that the spacecraft is expected to attain an orbit of 1,27,609 km x 236 km, with confirmation pending further observations. This comes after the successful execution of the fourth orbit-raising manoeuvre last week.

Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission, is progressing steadily towards its goal. The next crucial step, the TLI, is scheduled for August 1, 2023, between 12 midnight and 1 am IST. This manoeuvre will propel the spacecraft towards the Moon, marking the beginning of its lunar journey.

Unlike its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2, which included an orbiter, Vikram lander, and Pragyan rover, Chandrayaan-3 comprises three modules: propulsion, lander, and rover. The spacecraft's total weight is 3,900 kg, with the propulsion module weighing 2,148 kg, and the lander module, including the rover, weighing 1,752 kg.

Upon reaching the Moon, Chandrayaan-3 will execute a series of manoeuvres before attempting a soft landing on the lunar surface by late August. The mission's objective is to land in the Moon's South Pole area, where the presence of water is expected. If successful, India will join an elite group of nations that have achieved a soft landing on the Moon, including the United States, Russia, and China.

ISRO Chairman, Somanath S, expressed optimism about the mission, stating that Chandrayaan-3 holds the potential for significant scientific discoveries.

As Chandrayaan-3 progresses on its journey, the world watches eagerly as India takes another step towards making its mark on the lunar surface and expanding the country's space exploration achievements.

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