India’s Chandrayaan-3, the country’s third moon mission, is inching closer to achieving a momentous milestone as it prepares to exit Earth’s orbit and set its sights on the Moon. After more than two weeks of meticulously planned orbit-raising manoeuvres, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set for the critical trans-lunar injection (TLI) tonight between 12 midnight to 1 am IST.
During the TLI manoeuvre, Chandrayaan-3’s thrusters will be reignited, propelling the spacecraft beyond Earth’s gravitational pull and placing it into the Moon’s orbit. This significant burn will enable the spacecraft to perform a hyperbolic lunar swingby, setting it on a precise course to intercept the Moon.
Since its launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota on July 14, Chandrayaan-3 has successfully completed five orbit-raising manoeuvres, forming an elliptical path with a trajectory of 127,603 km x 236 km. This sequence of meticulously executed moves has been crucial in positioning the spacecraft for its lunar journey.
After tonight’s firing, Chandrayaan-3 will break free from Earth’s gravity and begin its journey towards the Moon. Once it enters the Moon’s gravitational influence, the spacecraft will enter lunar orbit, setting the stage for its subsequent circles around the Moon.
By the first week of August, Chandrayaan-3 will have completed 5-6 circles around the Moon, progressively moving closer to the innermost circle. During this phase, the spacecraft will determine the precise landing location in the Moon’s south pole region, as announced by Union Space Minister Jitendra Singh.
Chandrayaan-3’s mission objectives mirror those of its predecessor, Chandrayaan-2. First and foremost, the spacecraft aims to successfully demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface. This delicate manoeuvre is of paramount importance and will test India’s technological prowess in landing a spacecraft on the Moon.
The mission also intends to showcase the mobility of the Rover on the Moon’s challenging terrain. This will be a significant step forward for India’s space program, as it opens up avenues for future lunar exploration and potential resource utilization.
Furthermore, Chandrayaan-3 will conduct in-situ scientific experiments on the lunar surface, enhancing our understanding of the Moon’s composition and history. These experiments hold the promise of uncovering new insights into the Moon’s geological and elemental makeup.
ISRO’s meticulous planning and dedication to the Chandrayaan-3 mission have positioned India on the brink of another historic space achievement. The anticipated soft landing on the Moon’s south polar region, scheduled for August 23 at 5:47 pm IST, marks a crucial step in India’s space exploration journey. However, if necessary, ISRO stands prepared to reschedule the landing for September to ensure the mission’s success.
As the world awaits this momentous event, all eyes will be on ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 continues its remarkable journey towards the lunar frontier, inspiring generations and pushing the boundaries of human exploration in space.
