Chandrayaan-3 Now 'Even Closer To The Moon' As ISRO Completes Second Orbit Reduction

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has achieved a significant milestone by executing a carefully planned orbit reduction maneuver.

By engaging its engines in a retrofiring action, the spacecraft has now positioned itself at an even closer proximity to the lunar surface, with its orbit dimensions adjusted to an impressive 174 km x 1437 km.

Building on this achievement, the next critical phase of this lunar exploration is set to unfold on 14 August 2023, between 11.30 to 12.30 hours IST. During this upcoming operation, the spacecraft is set to undertake another strategic maneuver to further refine its orbit.

Chandrayaan-3 was launched into space on 14 July and successfully entered lunar orbit on 5 August. To bring the spacecraft closer to the Moon's surface for landing, three additional de-orbiting maneuvers will be performed.

The ISRO chairman S Somanath assured that the design of the lander, Vikram, will allow it to land even if two of its engines do not work.

The entire design of Vikram has been carefully planned to handle multiple failures, as long as the algorithms function properly, he added.