Chandrayaan-3: Propulsion Module Put In Orbit Around Moon As ISRO Completes Lunar Orbit Insertion Successfully

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver for Chandrayaan-3.

With this, the spacecraft has been inserted into an orbit around the moon.

As the LOI maneuver was performed by ISRO, the gravitational field of the Moon began to exert its influence on the module, gradually pulling it into a lunar orbit. This process involves a delicate balance between the module's velocity, the Moon's gravitational pull, and the direction of the thrust.

The spacecraft's health was monitored from the Mission Operations Complex at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru, and all systems are reported to be functioning well.

Having escaped Earth’s gravity and entered lunar orbit, the module will start revolving around the moon in an elliptical orbit.

Over the next few weeks, a series of maneuvers will be used to progressively lower the altitude of the module and place it in a 100 km circular orbit around the moon. It is at this point that the propulsion module will separate from the lander, which will continue its journey towards the lunar surface.

The next Lunar-bound orbit maneuver is scheduled for August 06, 2023, around 23:00 hours Indian Standard Time, as stated by ISRO.

Also Read: Chandrayaan-3 Is Now Close To The Moon. Here's What Will Happen In The Next 24 Hours