Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a groundbreaking experiment to move the Propulsion Module (PM) of Chandrayaan-3 from an orbit around the Moon to an orbit around Earth. This unique maneuver was aimed at gathering valuable information for future lunar missions and demonstrating mission operation strategies for a sample return mission.
Chandrayaan-3, the successor to the Chandrayaan-2 mission, had the primary objective of achieving a soft landing near the lunar south polar region. The mission aimed to perform experiments using the instruments onboard the ‘Vikram’ lander and the ‘Pragyan’ rover. The spacecraft was launched on July 14, 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) on board the LVM3-M4 vehicle.
On August 23, the Vikram lander successfully touched down on the Moon, marking a significant achievement for the mission. The Pragyan rover was also deployed and operated continuously for one lunar day. According to ISRO, the mission objectives of Chandrayaan-3 have been completely met.
The crucial role of the Propulsion Module (PM) was to transport the lander module from the Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) to the final lunar polar circular orbit and then separate the lander. Additionally, the SHAPE (System for Harnessing and Amplifying Photons Energies) payload on the PM was operated after the separation to collect further data.
To continue the operation of the SHAPE payload for Earth observation, the PM was re-orbited to a suitable Earth orbit. The first maneuver for this purpose was performed on October 9, 2023, followed by the Trans-Earth injection (TEI) maneuver on October 13. The PM then made four Moon fly-bys before leaving the sphere of influence of the Moon on November 10.
Currently, the PM is orbiting Earth with no potential risks of approaching operational Earth-orbiting satellites. The SHAPE payload is still being operated whenever Earth is within its field of view, and the operations are expected to continue further.
The return manoeuvres carried out on the PM have provided valuable insights and outcomes related to future lunar missions. They have contributed to the understanding of trajectory planning, gravity-assisted fly-bys, and debris management. These findings will be crucial in planning and executing future space missions, including sample return missions.
ISRO’s successful experiment with the Propulsion Module of Chandrayaan-3 highlights India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and its commitment to advancing scientific knowledge about the Moon and beyond. With this achievement, ISRO has taken another significant step towards establishing India as a major player in the field of space exploration.
“Travel aficionado. Incurable bacon specialist. Tv evangelist. Wannabe internet enthusiast. Typical creator.”