Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module Successfully Transitions from Lunar to Earth Orbit
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 05, 2023
In a striking demonstration of space mission versatility, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully maneuvered the Propulsion Module (PM) of its Chandrayaan-3 mission from an orbit around the Moon to an orbit around Earth. This maneuver is not just a technical achievement but also a strategic move to enhance the utility of the mission’s assets.
Launched on July 14, 2023, aboard the LVM3-M4 vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), SHAR, Chandrayaan-3’s primary mission was to facilitate a soft landing near the lunar south pole and conduct various experiments through the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover. These objectives were successfully met, with both the lander and rover performing as expected for one lunar day, in line with their designated mission life.
The Propulsion Module, originally tasked with delivering the Vikram lander into lunar polar orbit, achieved its primary goal flawlessly. After the separation of the lander, the PM’s secondary objective came into focus – the operation of the Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload, designed for Earth observation.
The mission’s efficiency exceeded expectations, leaving over 100 kg of unused fuel in the PM after its lunar operations. This surplus prompted ISRO to repurpose the PM for additional objectives, contributing valuable insights for future lunar missions and demonstrating strategies pertinent to a potential sample return mission.
In a carefully planned maneuver, ISRO repositioned the PM to a suitable Earth orbit, avoiding potential collisions with the Moon or interference with Earth’s Geostationary Orbit (GEO) belt. The first maneuver, executed on October 9, 2023, increased the PM’s apolune altitude significantly, followed by a Trans-Earth injection maneuver on October 13. These adjustments set the stage for the PM’s eventual transition from lunar to Earth orbit.
By November 10, the PM had departed the Moon’s sphere of influence, with its first perigee pass around Earth occurring on November 22nd at an altitude of 1.54 lakhs km. The current orbit, with a 27-degree inclination and a period of nearly 13 days, poses no threat of close approaches to operational Earth satellites, as per ISRO’s orbit predictions.
Continuing its scientific mission, the SHAPE payload is being operated whenever Earth is within its field of view. Notably, a special operation was conducted during the Solar Eclipse on October 28, 2023. These operations will proceed further, providing valuable Earth observation data.
The UR Rao Satellite Centre, a key division of ISRO, developed a novel analysis tool from first principles specifically for this operation. This tool, currently being validated through the Chandrayaan-3 PM’s return maneuvers, marks a significant advancement in ISRO’s capabilities for planning and executing complex space missions.
This successful maneuver sequence by Chandrayaan-3’s PM not only showcases ISRO’s increasing proficiency in space mission management but also sets a precedent for future missions. The outcomes include the ability to plan and execute trajectory changes from the Moon to Earth, the development and preliminary validation of software for such maneuvers, and strategies for gravity-assisted flybys and controlled end-of-life disposal of space assets, thereby adhering to no-debris creation norms.
In conclusion, the Chandrayaan-3 mission, through its extended PM operations, has not only fulfilled its primary scientific objectives but has also ventured into new realms of space mission flexibility and sustainability. This move by ISRO reflects a growing trend in space exploration where maximizing the utility of space assets and ensuring their sustainable end-of-life disposal are becoming increasingly important.
Following are the main outcome from the return maneuvers carried out on CH3 PM related to future missions:
+ Planning and execution of trajectory and maneuvers to return from Moon to Earth.
+ Development of a software module to plan such a maneuver and its preliminary validation.
+ Planning and execution of a gravity assisted flyby across a planets/ celestial body.
+ Avoiding uncontrolled crashing of the PM on the Moon’s surface at the end of life of PM thus meeting the requirements of no debris creation.
Related Links
ISRO
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2023 – Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled “by Staff Writers” include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report’s information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : IndoDaily – https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Chandrayaan_3_Propulsion_Module_Successfully_Transitions_from_Lunar_to_Earth_Orbit_999.html
Why Labeling Politics as ‘Dirty’ Is a Dangerous Misstep That Harms Us All