RNS: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was successfully injected into lunar orbit on Saturday. In an official tweet, ISRO confirmed the successful execution of a critical retro-burning manoeuvre at the Perilune from the Mission Operations Complex (MOX) at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.
The next operation, the reduction of orbit, is scheduled to take place on Sunday around 11 PM Indian Standard Time.
Following the lunar orbit injection, Chandrayaan-3 is now poised to undertake multiple orbits around the Moon, gradually approaching its destination. As the spacecraft reaches a 100 km orbit above the lunar surface, it will initiate a pivotal step: the detachment and manoeuvring of the lander and rover for a soft landing on the Moon’s surface.
The highly anticipated soft landing is scheduled to occur near the Moon’s south pole around August 23rd, culminating in a 40-day journey of exploration. Upon completion, India will become the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat, a testament to the nation’s burgeoning prowess in space exploration.
Moreover, India will be the first country to successfully achieve a soft landing near the lunar south pole, an area rich with scientific potential and untapped resources.
Chandrayaan-3, propelled by the GSLV Mark III launcher, was launched on July 14 with the primary objective of conducting detailed lunar surface exploration and advancing scientific understanding of Earth’s satellite.
This mission builds upon the success of Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar probe launched in 2008, and Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, which aimed to perform a soft landing near the lunar south pole but encountered a technical glitch during its descent.
The successful injection into lunar orbit is a remarkable achievement for ISRO and India’s space exploration program, bringing the nation closer to enhancing our understanding of the Moon’s geology, resources, and potential for future exploration.
As the Chandrayaan-3 mission progresses, scientists and space enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming stages of the journey, anticipating groundbreaking discoveries and furthering India’s status as a prominent player in space exploration.
