The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 mission is about to achieve a significant milestone in space exploration as it enters the Moon’s sphere of influence on August 5. This crucial phase aims to demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, conduct roving on the moon, and perform in-situ scientific experiments.
Launched on July 14, the Chandrayaan-3 mission has been gradually raising its orbit around Earth to prepare for its final journey towards the Moon. The spacecraft’s perigee burn successfully elevated its orbit to 288km x 369328 km, positioning it to enter the Moon’s sphere of influence.
The spacecraft manoeuvres away from Earth’s orbit and enters a critical point in the Moon’s gravity, known as ‘perigee,’ where the Moon’s influence becomes apparent. Chandrayaan-3’s thrusters are then used to move tangentially into the Moon’s orbit.
Once in the lunar orbit, the Lander will separate from the Propulsion Module and attempt a soft landing near the Moon’s South Pole on August 23 at 5.47 pm. The Propulsion Module and Lander separation is scheduled for August 17, with a series of deboost manoeuvres planned before the power descent phase for the soft landing.
Chandrayaan-3 carries eight payloads which will conduct experiments to study the moon.Among the exciting experiments is SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth), designed to observe changes that a life-supporting atmosphere makes to starlight passing through it. Another essential instrument is ILSA (Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity), designed to detect and study lunar quakes, crucial for future lunar exploration missions and potential human habitation on the Moon.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 4th August 2023
