NEW DELHI: In a significant milestone for India's space exploration, the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has completed its orbits around Earth and embarked on its journey towards the Moon. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed the successful perigee-firing conducted at the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC), which effectively injected the spacecraft into its translunar orbit.
The critical trans-lunar injection (TLI) maneuver executed by ISRO allowed Chandrayaan-3 to escape Earth's gravitational pull and enter a trajectory leading it closer to the Moon's vicinity. This major milestone was achieved on Tuesday, August 1.
With the Moon now as the next destination, the Lunar-Orbit Insertion (LOI) is scheduled to take place on August 5, 2023. The LOI is a vital maneuver that will enable the spacecraft to be captured by the Moon's gravity and enter a stable lunar orbit.
Since its launch on July 14, the Chandrayaan-3 mission has witnessed the spacecraft's orbit being incrementally raised five times. This process was necessary to achieve the desired trajectory for its lunar journey.
Looking ahead, the most anticipated event of the Chandrayaan-3 mission is the soft landing attempt on the Moon's surface, slated for August 23, 2023. A successful soft landing would make India the fourth nation to accomplish this feat, following the footsteps of the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission carries the expectations of the entire nation, as it seeks to build upon the successes of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2. Chandrayaan-1, launched in 2008, made significant discoveries, including confirming the presence of water molecules on the Moon. However, it did not have a rover or a lander.
Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, was intended to perform a soft landing on the Moon's south pole but faced challenges during its descent, leading to a loss of communication with the Vikram lander. Despite this setback, the orbiter component of Chandrayaan-2 continues to function effectively and provides valuable scientific data.
Chandrayaan-3 is a dedicated lander mission, aiming to demonstrate India's capabilities in soft landing on the lunar surface and conducting scientific investigations. The lander will be equipped with instruments to study the Moon's surface and composition, enhancing our understanding of the celestial body and paving the way for future lunar missions.
As the spacecraft journeys closer to the Moon, ISRO's team of scientists and engineers remain vigilant, preparing for the intricate lunar-orbit insertion and, ultimately, the historic soft landing attempt. The mission represents a testament to India's technological prowess in space exploration and ignites hopes for groundbreaking discoveries that lie ahead.
In conclusion, Chandrayaan-3's successful completion of orbits around Earth and its transition to the lunar trajectory mark crucial steps towards India's lunar exploration goals. With the Lunar-Orbit Insertion approaching on August 5 and the highly anticipated soft landing attempt on August 23, the nation eagerly awaits another milestone in its space journey.
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