In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended congratulations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for accomplishing yet another milestone in space exploration. The achievement in focus is the successful repositioning of the Chandrayaan 3 Propulsion Module from the lunar orbit to Earth’s orbit, a feat described by the Prime Minister as a “technology milestone.”
Responding to ISRO’s announcement on the accomplishment, Prime Minister Modi expressed his commendation on X, stating, “Congratulations @isro. Another technology milestone achieved in our future space endeavors includes our goal to send an Indian to the Moon by 2040.”
The unique experiment involved a detour for the Chandrayaan 3 Propulsion Module, where it was navigated from its initial orbit around the Moon to a new orbit around Earth. This maneuver, described by ISRO as an “orbit-raising” and “Trans-Earth injection” process, successfully positioned the Propulsion Module in Earth’s orbit.
The Chandrayaan 3 mission, launched on July 14, 2023, aimed to demonstrate a soft landing near the lunar South polar region and conduct experiments using the instruments on the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover. Notably, the Vikram lander made a historic touchdown on the Moon’s south pole on August 23, marking India as the first country to land on this uncharted lunar territory.
Following the successful lunar operations, the Propulsion Module’s primary objective was to ferry the lander module from the geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) to the final lunar polar circular orbit and separate the lander. After achieving this separation, the Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload in the Propulsion Module was operated, even surpassing the initial planned duration.
The surplus fuel in the Propulsion Module, resulting from precise orbit injections and optimal maneuvers, prompted ISRO to utilize it for additional information gathering and future mission planning. The decision was made to bring back the Propulsion Module to Earth’s orbit, demonstrating mission operation strategies for potential sample return missions.
The meticulous planning included maneuvers to avoid collisions with the Moon’s surface or Earth’s Geo belt, ensuring safety and optimal trajectory. The return maneuvers, initiated on October 9, 2023, involved raising the apolune altitude and adjusting the orbit period. The successful execution of these maneuvers has not only brought the Propulsion Module back to Earth but has also contributed valuable insights and software module development for future lunar missions.
In summary, ISRO’s innovative approach and successful execution in maneuvering the Chandrayaan 3’s Propulsion Module represent a significant leap forward in India’s space exploration endeavors, earning accolades from Prime Minister Modi for this technological feat.
