For its Final Trick, Chandrayaan-3 Brings its Propulsion Module to Earth Orbit –

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For its Final Trick, Chandrayaan-3 Brings its Propulsion Module to Earth Orbit –

ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module performed a maneuver to go from a close-in lunar orbit to a highly elliptical orbit where it eventually was able to return to Earth

The Propulsion Module (PM) of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was moved from a lunar orbit to an elliptical orbit and then back to Earth. The PM was originally intended for lunar operations, but it was successfully returned to Earth’s orbit after exceeding its lunar mission objectives. This demonstrated India’s ability to launch objects to the Moon and bring them back

The PM weighs 2,148 kg, while the lander and rover each weigh 1,752 kg. The total weight of Chandrayaan-3 is 3,900 kg. 

The PM’s maneuver involved: 

  • Lunar orbit: The PM moved into a nearly circular orbit about 150 kilometers above the moon. 
  • Elliptical orbit: The PM performed a maneuver to go from a close-in lunar orbit to a highly elliptical orbit. 
  • Earth orbit: The PM was returned to Earth’s orbit.

The PM took the Vikram lander to within 100 km of the Moon’s surface. The lander then detached and made a controlled descent to the lunar surface.

The Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module is a box-shaped component of the spacecraft that is powered by solar panels. Its main purpose was to transport the lander from Earth’s orbit to a low lunar orbit. 

The propulsion module also carried a scientific payload called the Spectro Polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE). SHAPE was designed to study the Earth’s atmosphere and look for signals that could help identify habitable exoplanets. 

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has seven scientific payloads: 

  • Lander: Four payloads 
  • Rover: Two payloads 
  • Propulsion module: One payload 

The spacecraft was launched on July 14, 2023.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft has three main components: 

  • Propulsion module: Carries the lander and rover from Earth’s orbit to a low lunar orbit 
  • Lander: Touches down on the Moon 
  • Rover: Carries out scientific experiments 

The lander is called Vikram and the rover is named Pragyan. 

The spacecraft’s objective is to develop and demonstrate new technologies for interplanetary missions. 

The propulsion module of Chandrayaan-3 weighs 2,148 kg. The total mass of the spacecraft is 3,900 kg, which includes the propulsion module and the lander module. The lander module weighs 1,752 kg, and the rover weighs 26 kg. 

The propulsion module was filled with 1,696.4 kg of fuel during launch. It performed five maneuvers while on Earth and five more while traveling to the moon. 

The propulsion module will continue to operate for years, even after the lander and rover have stopped working. It will have new objectives, including searching for signs of life outside of Earth. (Full article source google)

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